On Friday night, I went to the love and respect seminar put on my the Something in Common Sabbath School. Before the meeting, I was in high spirits. I had a great day and finally felt normal again after a horrible week. It was so refreshing to know that it wasn't only me but about 4-5 other people said it was rough too. But that is for another time.
Once I came to start eating with all the other students, I realized the mistake I had made. I was one of the very few there that did not have a date. I was very uncomfortable about that, but I didn't think I could just leave either. So as soon as I could I found something to do rather then just sit.
The presentation was wonderful. I did learn a lot, even why I don't fit in with girls or guys. But the biggest thing I left with was a sense of loneliness. I began to miss the one guy that ever did care about me.
There was one time at camp during the retirees retreat that we went to feed the horses and get them ready for the day. We always had fun feeding them by making them chase us for the hay. But this day there was an elderly couple up there watching us. As the horses ate the hay, we went to talk to them, they were campers and we were staff, I thought that was what we were supposed to do. The first question they ask as we walked up was how long we had been married. I was too shocked to respond. Yes, it was late in the summer and we were the last two “kids” left, and yes, we did enjoy being together, but to think we were married seemed to be a stretch.
He responded coolly that no we were not married, then they asked how long we had been dating. Again he said that we were just friends from the summer. I was glad he kept his calm because I would have been able answer them very well. But after that he treated me a little differently.
There was so much to that relationship. Even though we never were officially dating, I think we did cross that line. At time I say that I have never dated, but I don't think this is true. He did start talking about marriage with me, but I didn't know how to take it. He understood that I wanted to come to college, and that even if he waited for me, it would be 5-7 years, but that didn't bother him. He never planed to go farther in his education, but said he would move to be near me and get a job where ever I was.
Then I scared myself. I realized I loved him. I had thought to keep us at the level of friends, so what if he talked marriage, I could ignore that right? The other thing that scared me was how much he let me control him. It did teach me a lot about making my decisions for the good of others, but he would do just about anything I asked him to. The strong feelings I had for him scared me so bad that I asked him to stop writing me. And even though he didn't understand why, he stopped. I was surprised that he would, but then I had told him that I didn't want to hold hands until I am engaged and he never tried, and I told him that I didn't want to kiss until my wedding and he never pushed me. Any bound I put up, he respected without question. Then again, I did the same for him.
We both came to camp again, and he thought that there was nothing wrong. I was just scared of my feelings. Our relationship went on for three years when I had to ask him to stop. There was no nice way. He, in tears, asked me if I had ever loved him. I tried to explain, but he couldn't understand. He would say if I loved him at all just let him love me. He couldn't understand that I was scared of my love, scared that he would get too close, scared that he would hurt me. Finally I had to tell him no, I didn't love him. That was the hardest lie to tell. But he was in no condition to understand anything.
He didn't talk to me the rest of that summer. His birthday came and several other girls that had been trying to get his attention made him a pancake breakfast and invited his family. I wasn't invited. It was so hard not to crash that party. My heart was screaming at the other girls to get away, he was mine. He was the only one that said I was pretty and meant it, I needed him. But I just went into the woods and cried.
The next year I chose not to work at camp because I knew he would be there and I was giving him that territory. I did go and visit one weekend and he still could not look me in the eye. I tried to talk to him but he told me he didn't think he could. I cried all the way home, all nine hours. that was a year and a half ago. Two and a half since I broke up with him. I think he still has my heart. I still love him and miss him. I didn't think it would hurt this bad. I feel as if I ripped my heart in two and trampled on it for a couple years.
I never meant to tell so much...but I think you can understand why I had the blues Friday night now, and they are still having affects. I think I will go and make a snowman or something. Maybe that would help me feel better.