Those of you who have been to the Salt Lake airport, can picture the escalators...the ride down to those awaiting your arrival. Aaron had fallen asleep so was a few minutes late...but as I came out the doors he greeted me with a huge hug and a kiss. Yep, a kiss. So I guess we are doing the "more than friends thing?"
We arrived to my parents place and Aaron said he wanted to give me my Christmas gift. I assured him it was fine if we waited til Christmas Eve, when we had plans to see Les Miserables, but he insisted. He pulled out a bag from Morgan Jewlers, and I unwrapped the pretty box. Sitting in the box were real pearl earings. What? He got me real pearl earings for Christmas? Followed by more kisses? What's going on here? He also surprised me with a book he wanted to read together, and a 5lb. bag of cinnamon bears, my favorite! So thoughtful. Since Aaron served his mission in Norway and loves the New York Mets, I had gotten him a Mets garden gnome and a dinner to a yurt in Park City. Hardly as nice as jewlery, but I was playing it safe...cause I didn't know...you know?
A few days later we went on our date to the Viking Yurt. The most amazing date I have been on ever. Like EVER! First of all, it was a full moon that night so as we arrived in Park City, the whole ski resort was lit up by the moon, peeking through the Aspen's. I had been to Norway and stayed with Mats Jensen's family. His mother had made me a gorgeous Norwegian sweater and Aaron had purchased one on his mission. We were greeted by a huge sled complete with the Norwegian flag on the back, attached to a snow cat. So. Much. Fun. The sled pulled us up a ski run to the top of a mountain. There, was the cutest little hut looking thing lit up with Christmas lights. We walked inside and were handed a hot berry drink in a pewter cup. The six course meal was fantastic, complete with Scandinavian cheeses, sorbet served in rocks from different regions in Norway, and cardamom ice cream. So magical! If you live in or ever come to Utah, I highly recommend this experience, especially if you are a foodie!
It seemed that as the week went on we kept finding excuses to spend time together. We made dinner with friends, ate dinner with Grandma Murray, and spent New Year's Eve eating take out and talking. Yeah...we liked each other, but there was this looming distance that we couldn't get past for some reason. Not until there was more established between us. I know what some of you are thinking...isn't this enough to go off of? But, I still wasn't willing to give up my job without a commitment.
This all made sense until this Christmas vacation. Amongst seeing Aaron, I also was seeing my family. My dad was not doing well. He had fallen several times that winter because the heart attack and medications had affected his equilibrium. My mom had been taking it day by day, and because she is so strong hadn't told me what was really happening with my dad's health. She didn't want to worry me, or any of her children for that matter. But children know. I knew something wasn't right. I came home from one of those dates with Aaron and I asked my mom straight out. How is dad REALLY doing? She couldn't deny the fact that his health had gotten much worse. The next question from me was, "Do you need help taking care of him mom?" She reluctantly admitted she couldn't do it by herself anymore and that was it for me. I needed to come home. I returned to Connecticut without commitment from Aaron but knowing I had to give my notice and come help my family. I didn't want to leave the Mandell's but resolved to the fact that if anything drastic happened with me dad, I wouldn't forgive myself for not spending time with him.
I returned home a few days before Valentines Day. What was to happen with Aaron and I at that point was still very much to be determined...
I love reading this!!! Keep'em coming! :)
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