The companion.
First spend a long, long time on your own, content in your conviction that this state suits you best.
Then make a huge life change; move house, area, way of living.
Become happier in your new life than you ever dreamt possible.
From this position of happiness, have a chance encounter with a man planting a hedge, who agrees to help with your garden. A nice man, who likes to talk over coffee, take photographs, discuss music and books, and who - as the Lovely Son puts it - has lived life.
Gradually realise that this nice man is actually rather more than nice, and spend a month becoming good friends, talking more than gardening, spending more hours in coffee shops, talking and laughing, than in (the now somewhat urgent) shopping for stone slabs for the garden path.
After a month, full life histories exchanged, acknowledge that more than nice has moved to more than good friends, and start talking about the future, making plans that extend beyond hardy perennials, and what climbers to train up the linhay wall.
To love and be loved; what could be better?
Nothing could be better! And I couldn't be happier for you both.
ReplyDeleteRachel I have read your blog for years and feel as if I know you well. I could not be more pleased. Funny isn't it how being ready to embrace a new life in one way, and it took courage in my opinion, opens things up in another? Hope Flossie and co approve.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful! Best wishes to the companion and you.
ReplyDeleteAhhhh! Nothing could be better, nothing!
ReplyDeleteFunny how life reaches out and grabs you just when you think you have it all sorted out :)
ReplyDeleteGood luck to it :)
viv in nz
Amen, Rachel. "to love and be loved". If Hamish approves, I'll bet the rest of the gang loves him too!
ReplyDeletexoxo Shelley
The very best way...to come to a relationship from a place of happiness and security in one's "place" in life. To begin as friends and blossom into life companions. The sweetest.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful thing to happen after your move to the West Country! Wishing you both all the very best of times together.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful! Really pleased for you.
ReplyDeleteJan x
Tears in my eyes and happiness in my heart.
ReplyDeletexo Jane
This post has brought me out of my lurker state. What an exquisite unfolding of love. Thank you for sharing, I was becoming quite curious. Completely envious of your new life, but even more inspired!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful! But what does Flossie think?
ReplyDeletejoy, joy, joy! Lovely story. I am so glad for you both.
ReplyDeletePerfect! Lucky you, lucky him.xx
ReplyDeleteForgot to ask if he liked amimals...
ReplyDeletexoxoxoxoxoxo
ReplyDeleteemoticon, emoticon, emoticon !!!
as someone who also has been struck by les love lightening, quite completely out of the blue & also after a long, long time happily being in love with my gang of cats & dogs, I am thrilled to pieces 'cause I do know just how it feels.
loads of love xoxoxo Susan + Gang
(& especially Oliver). I had a lovely stay in "our" suite at Casa Dingle you will love it ;-)
Ah - spring is in the air.
ReplyDeleteWishing you joy
Anna
Indeed, it is the very most wonderful thing. Blessings on you both!
ReplyDeleteFunny old life isn't it? .... good for you .... I'm happy that you are happy.....
ReplyDeletebig hugs...
xxx
He likes them all, despite being outgunned by 5 cats.
ReplyDeleteFlossie adores him quite extravagantly. If the Comments box accepted photos, I could post the evidence. Tosca is a little more dignified, but is also rather keen, and Hamish, well, Hamish hops up onto the sofa beside him and taps his arm for attention.
I suspected something like this and I'm very happy for you. Hope you'll still find the time to blog though, I can't do without. And photo's ??
ReplyDeleteSpring brings many wonderful things does it not? Two hearts beating as one...Ah! All the best Rachel but please, don't stop blogging at least from time to time!
ReplyDelete(as long as Flossie, Tosca, Hamish, Catkin, Scooter, Millie and Lottie are happy too, you have everyone's blessing I am sure!)
Blimey, I only went away for a month! Really really happy for you. All of you.
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely news Rachel, and the cats approve! What more joy could you want?
ReplyDeleteRose H
x
It sounds wonderful and I wish you both every happiness .
ReplyDeleteSo happy for you - if the cats approve he's a keeper.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you've gone public! And the back of his head looks very nice indeed. Perhaps eventually we might see the front?
ReplyDeleteLucky you.After 14 years on my own just me and cats and children i think ive given up! hope the cats approve. enjoy.x
ReplyDeleteHow truly lovely - to find that your road which had seemed so straight had a curve and when you reached the bend the view was different. And it was not just you looking at it.
ReplyDeleteYeah! Very happy for you both. Savor it all.
ReplyDeleteKitty USA
What alice c said above - and what indeed everyone else has too. Rachel, that is fantastic news. So, so happy for you.
ReplyDeleteHamish's seal of approval is good enough for anyone!
ReplyDeleteSo very happy for you both. Just goes to show that there is a reason for everything.
ReplyDeleteSo very pleased. I'd sort of guessed that he liked your little tribe as well!
ReplyDeleteOh how very exciting...and life affirming!
ReplyDeletexox
How wonderful! I am so happy for you and wish you both the best.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely! Happy for you all!
ReplyDeleteYay!!!!! I was going to ask the 'does he like the animals' question but then thought "silly, of COURSE he does! It's part of who she is." So glad for you, and Flossie, and Tocsa, and Scooter, and Lottie, and Catkin and Millie and most especially Hamish.
ReplyDeleteHave read your wonderful amusing blog for a long time very happy for you,but please still have time for the odd blog!Those of us stll exiled in the NE need cheering up.
ReplyDeleteWhat great news! I am so happy for you. The back of his head looks very nice...how about the rest of him ? He doesn't sound like the shrinking violet type!
ReplyDeleteJust after asking for a cat and dog update I realised; the companion......
ReplyDeleteWell, there is nothing better then a true love story. I don't even know you but it makes me happy to read about your happiness! I wish you all the best. Mar.
Absolutely marvellous news Rachel, I am so happy for you both. Enjoy yourselves.
ReplyDeleteWhat a joyful reveal. Could not be happier for you.
ReplyDeleteAwww... the very best part for me is hearing that little Hamish actually comes out of hiding...and hops right up to tap his arm....how cute is that? ...a good sign...a very good sign indeed....
ReplyDeleteHamish does what???? That's the ultimate accolade, isn't it?
ReplyDeletePleased for you.
WONDERFUL news! I am so happy for you!
ReplyDeleteHappy. Happy for you.
ReplyDeleteI think you are quite right about your own sense of freedom and self fulfillment attracting something good like this. Until you know that, perhaps it is impossible to be able to love well.
[spam - I have no word verification now and find that Google catches - so far - all the spam. And there is a lot.]
I was soooo hoping that you would eventually post something like this..
ReplyDeleteAt the age of 53 and having spent a looong time alone, believing this to be my natural state, and yet still wanting to maintain hope that it isn't, you've given me just that hope & renewed optimism.
I've got no intention of doing anything as dramatic as moving to another part of the country, but am I believe begining to experience that place of happiness & possibility within me & my life, and I think & hope that that place of freedom, as Marie describes it, is a dramatic enough shift in itself. :)
Brilliant news. As one who has found love second time around and who is totally happy in that love, it is wonderful to see it happen to someone else and someone who really deserves happiness for her brave determination to take life by the scruff of the neck and MAKE it happen.
ReplyDeleteAnd the cherry on top - Hamish likes him.
Lesley xx
Gone public at last. I think 'the companion' needs his photo added to the 'about' section don't you?
ReplyDeleteHi Rachel, I'm so glad that the move has exceeded your expectations in every way! Even better that you have someone (with just the two legs) to share the happiness with.
ReplyDeleteHuge hugs
Dan
-x-
CONGRATULATIONS!!
ReplyDeleteThis is fab news! I've watched you hang on (probably with your toenails) during the move and the renovations and just life in general and you do it well.
ReplyDeleteSo happy for you. If the "pack" is not okay with this, out HE goes. ha.
Oh, hurray for both of you! It's never too late for love. How very, very wonderful, and how lovely of you to share with us. Thank you for trusting us! Hope the companion is ready for a big fan club.
ReplyDeleteOh, how exciting and wonderful! Actually, a similar thing happened to me a few years ago - it's all in the blog - and we are still building our new life together
ReplyDeleteSo very very very happy for you
ReplyDeleteOh my Lord!!!! Happy, happy, happy!
ReplyDeleteI love it! How wonderful! Love finds us in the most unexpected places. A very happy post indeed!
ReplyDeletexo Catherine
Oh so beautiful!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI haven't popped in for a while....what thrilling news!
ReplyDelete