First Rude, then Beloved

I have mentioned my friend, Rude13, a few times on here. He's been a friend pretty much as long as I have known Beloved, was a long-time housemate, and is Boy's godfather. He is also an artist. I own a couple of his early works.

Recently, he undertook a challenge. Thirty landscapes in thirty days. Personally, a thirty day challenge of ANYTHING is tough. I mean, really...all I am trying to do is type on the computer and I haven't managed to complete a challenge on time. To do it in an artistic medium? In paint?!?

I'm not an artist, but I have played with paints a little. It's not as easy as it looks. Some of these are really fantastic! Take a look!


Speaking of the 30 Day...here is my 7th day on the Truth List.
Someone who has made your life worth living for

Is it any surprise that I name Beloved? No? *chuckles* Well, it shouldn't be.
When I met Beloved, I was dating another guy...but it wasn't a good place. My boyfriend had gotten involved with other things and in my desperation to regain his attention, I was starving myself to get skinny. I was wear clothes I wasn't particularly comfortable with. I was working retail and in full teenage-angst with my dad. I was taking A&P and doing human dissection, and typically reeked of BioPerm or Quat, depending on the day.

On Tuesday, March 14, 1995 my study partner invited me to join her at a cafe for a "double date", mine being blind. If you ask him, Beloved will tell you that when I stepped through the door, he decided he was *going* to meet me. For my part, I nervously glanced around the crowded room, found my partner, and glanced at the guys at the table. Approaching, Beloved and J stood up, taking my hand and kissing it, introducing themselves.

They were best friends with long hair, black leather jackets, combat boots, and wickedly romantic. By the end of the evening, we were playing mancala with sugar cubes and deciding when to get together again.

By the end of the second get-together, I was thoroughly smitten with Beloved. J was very sweet and IS a fantastic friend, but the sparks were sharp and brilliant with Beloved. *wry smile* My study partner never forgave me. Ah well.

Beloved took to catching me after my lab, stealing my book, car keys, etc. and refused to give them back until he had WATCHED me eat. As the spring wore on, I found bouquets of violets on my windshield in the FULL parking lot. We'd lay in the new grass and chase the goslings when they got too close. By the end of April, I told my boyfriend I was leaving him. By November, Beloved had asked me to marry him.

It's been seventeen years, and the more things change, the more I realize what a gift I have in my soulmate. No one in my life has questioned me so little, accepted me so much, and made me laugh and smile more. Even in the worst times, even when I have screamed and fought and pushed him away, he hasn't given up on me. He values my input, yet tucks me in to bed like a child. Without a doubt, he has made it possible for me to wade through the dark days and helped me fly on the bright days. I wish I could give every person what Beloved has given to me.