Well, I'm in a really good place. This week has been a roller coaster (all ultimately in a good way). My oldest son's car broke down about 6 hours away late on Saturday night. Repairs couldn't happen until Monday or Tuesday, so I got up early on Sunday and drove across the mountains and "rescued" the two campers and their little dog. We had a great time on the ride back and then I dropped them at the Air Bnb they rented and then came home to find that my 2nd son, his girlfriend and the Filipino brother and cousin wanted to come and stay at my house. Of course I said yes!
On Monday, we planned a hike with the 6 visiting young people (my youngest had to work). I took the 4 I had with me over to Teacher's house and she grabbed son's girlfriend and brother and took them in her car. We caravanned about an hour to meet the oldest and his girl and the little dog at a trailhead and embarked on a conversation and laughter filled 8 1/2 mile hike, crossing streams and clambering over rocks. We finished the day with ice cream and more laughter together. Teacher told me how much she loved being with my kids/men and women and she and I smiled and laughed as those youngsters checked on us old people every time we might have even scuffed our hiking boots on the dirt, let alone stumble or stop to get our breath.
We all took a day off yesterday, so Teacher and I ran errands separately during the day and had dinner and some "just us" time and, well, the hormone challenge has been resolved
Today, my parents, older brother and wife, younger brother and wife, my uncle and aunt and all the kids got together for a really nice visit and meal at the Air Bnb. Teacher met us all there and we all had just a wonderful time of visiting and story-telling together.
A couple of things happened that were just fun. Teacher has been pretty hesitant to show much affection to me in front of my sons and family because she is sensitive that it might seem "weird" for them to see their dad/son/brother with someone instead of their mother. Well, today, we had a little smooch when she arrived and during the rotational visiting with parents, aunts and uncles, kids and partners, we occasionally sat together and held hands or rubbed shoulders in front of everyone. As the visit came to an end, Teacher asked if she could take a couple and chose my 2nd son and his girlfriend and they had a great bonus visit on the ride home. I took a different route home and the Filipino men and I had to stop and rescue a tortoise on the gravel road a mile from my house. They were thrilled to see some American wildlife up close and personal. When Teacher dropped the others off, we had another little kiss in front of the kids.
The other sort of affirming thing was when my oldest son told me that he wasn't really that thrilled to go to his mom's wedding reception this evening. I was able to be the "bigger person" and remind him that I wished only happiness for his mother and knew that he wanted the same. He rolled his eyes a bit but then calmed down and agreed. My sister-in-law was standing right there and of course chimed in and told my son that she wasn't sure she had ever seen me so happy in the 30+ years she has known me. My son had to agree to that and said the he and his open minded girl would both try to open their minds even more and wish his mom and her partner good blessings.
It's exhausting to spend that many hours catching up with family. I'm tired. Teacher is tired. We talked and agreed that sleep was the most important thing we could do tonight.
[This message edited by countrydirt at 4:10 AM, Thursday, July 21st]