I love my Dad...

I asked my dad how you know when someone is "the one"...
Here's his response... <3

"Bhrennie! We can talk in person about that subject if you like......some time. A lot of thoughts stream accross my mind when I think of answering your question. In the simplest of terms, you run into some one who makes every thing around you go blank except for the focus you have on them. Kind of like when your baby is born and all you see is a closeup of their little sweet face while everything else seems like a black nothing. You immediately know after small talk that you both have many things and values in common so it is easy to see things each others' way most all of the time. It is exciting and makes you anxious to find out everything about the one erasing doubts as you go along the way. It really does make two as one that is much more stronger and meaningful than either individual. You both like a lot of the same things and doing things together. Together, everything you do is magnified many times better for the experience. You almost don't want to experience things alone anymore, even a TV program, because you know how much more exciting or fun it can be sharing it with the one you love. You feel lost without them! Then, there is the incouragement, understanding and reinforcement that is bestowed between two in love. You can not for the life of you ponder anything in the future without 'the one' being a part of it! Just would not seem natural. That leaves the one other thing that makes you realize someone is 'the one'. Sex is easy, easy to have at almost anytime, sadly these days, but when you make love with 'the one', you know all right and nothing anyone will try to tell you can move you away from the truth you respect and cherish in your heart. It is not an experiment, trying to find out if you will have sex or will it be making love! The intimacy must come in good time and is just part of the crescendo of a developing relationship. Sounds like I'm lecturing but I'm not. There will always be bumps in the road for everyone in some way or another, but you almost look forward to the challenge knowing that the two can get through anything as long as they are together. Needless to say, this is very personal, what I am writing to you. Somewhere in all the blabber though, I think you might sense an answer to your question....I hope. Loving you, Dad"

Melt my heart.

A healthy new outlook...

Day 1: The Beginning...

I have decided to embark on a journey.
Today is day 1 of my endeavor.
Here's what I know:

1. My son brings me endless joy. He is the absolute light of my life, and as such I feel it's my duty to live a life that I can be proud of. I want to share my experience with him and afford him the opportunity to see the world and all it has to offer him.

2. I am not, nor have I ever been happy keeping the same job for very long. I have always preferred to dabble in a bit of everything, and it shows in my vocational history. I've struggled with this, as my family are very vocal in their belief that a good job with good pay outweighs any joy you can find at that job. Yes, this makes sense. It isn't for me. I need adventure. I've fought my urge and even managed to maintain some semblance of what society considers normal stability...I am NOT fulfilled. I once gave a talk about joy versus happiness. In theory they are they same, but I chose to dissect further. I've experienced fleeting happiness. Jumping from one thing that feels good to another, but in the end I've returned to where I'd begun. Joy. I have felt PURE joy only a handful of times in my life. The one that sticks with me the most is the moment I first laid eyes on my son. He took my breath away, and rocked the foundations of my life. I still endeavor to deserve such an awe-inspiring gift...Which is why I've chosen to go on this journey.

3. Travel. I am fascinated with different cultures and their histories. I want to see the world. There are times when all I want to do is sell everything I own and go out to see the world. The only thing that keeps me grounded is Taylor. I want to do it right so I can share it with him. It feels as if I'll scout it out so that when he's old enough, I can show him the world. The thought fills my heart with such warmth.

Thus begins my journey. I'm not leaving tomorrow, but I feel it necessary to document the beginning. There's so much to do before I can leave the country. Passports, money, figuring out where to stay, what I'll do once I'm there. I just know that I have to follow-thru with my dreams. If I can't do it for myself, how can I expect to teach my son to do the same.