Two years with Victoria
I recently celebrated the one year anniversary of my marriage to Victoria, which is also pretty close to the two year anniversary of us doing something that you might label dating if you squint and tilt your head a little. My life has never been uninteresting, but the ride has gotten even more exciting recently, mostly thanks to her. We don't always get along, and we aren't always interested in the same things, but all the rest of the times are pretty darn good. When I started this writing challenge recently and asked myself "what's been happening in your life recently that's worth writing about?", she easily made the top of the list.
She has inspired me to travel more. My first trip to Europe, or outside the US at all, was early last year. In theory the trip started out for work, but I wouldn't have gone at all if it didn't present an opportunity to go places and see sights and do things with her. Even before the trip, the experience of planning all the stops and travel along the way was refreshing compared to similar attempts in the past with other friends and partners. When our styles differed, we could both get things done. When they meshed, even more so. After we started the trip separately for logistical reasons we met up in Amsterdam for my work thing. Then we made a mostly predetermined path to Berlin, Prague, and Rome over the course of two weeks. There were planned activities and spontaneous wanderings and midnight bike rides along the way, most of which worked out delightfully. And when I felt the urge to sit in the hotel room for a whole day playing video games, she was happy to take the day to herself and explore the city alone. I suspect some manuals on the care and feeding of introverts could take notes from her.
Now she is out of the country for a while and my desire to see her, as well as her influence on my desire to see new cities, has me traveling again. I've recently been to Toronto for the first time, which is where she has spent most of her life. And I'm going again soon, with stops along the way in places I've never been. I've always wanted to get out and see the world more, but never quite got over the initial hurdles until she came around to give me the push that I needed. I look forward to seeing how this develops and where we and I go in the future.
We have done more substantial things together than I have with any previous partner. Don't get me wrong, I've had plenty of fun before, but never anything that really made an impact. That's all changed now. Although I founded Buspatch on my own before we met, she really helped it come alive when she moved in and joined me in managing it. Without her, it might never have gotten into good enough shape to hand off the reins and let it survive after my departure. Together our influence and creativity and steering have gotten Loophole off the ground in a way I never could have alone. This house is doing things I've been inspired to do for a decade but never quite figured out how, and she's a big part of whatever missing puzzle pieces were standing in my way before. She has even given me small pushes toward creative and social projects that I've had simmering in the back of my mind for years and might actually see the light of day soon, or even the inside of a digital shopping cart somewhere if we're lucky.
She has provided an eager ear for many of the things I am passionate and/or knowledgeable about, and she soaks up information like a sponge. Not everything sticks, but she's always ready to try again or learn something new when it's topical or someone is just feeling the urge to share. She has also jumped into the role of a social filter for me on various occasions, trying to give me insight into other people's thoughts or them mine. This is often invaluable, and a welcome addition to my life.
I look forward to seeing where our relationship goes next, figuratively or literally. I hope that she is getting as much out of it as I am. Time will tell, I guess.