so while sitting here at barnes and nobles today, someone i haven’t seen in FOREVER found his way to my table.

i call these people “ghosts”, because after you just haven’t seen them for awhile, you kind of file them away in your head as “dead”. not literally, but to you. although this guy and i dated for a bit in my younger days, it’s been at least four years since i’ve seen him.

he said i look great. i said he did, too. and it was awkward for a second.

we talked small talk about what’s happening in our lives.. what jobs we’re working now.. if we’re still living on the same sides of town.. and he said, “you really do look great. are you still single?”

i blushed. it’s been awhile since i’ve had a completely random compliment. shaking my head, i said, “no, actually.. i’m getting married.”

inevitably, as they all do, his eyes flew to my left hand. “you’re not wearing a ring,” he said, almost defensively.

and i realized why i haven’t had the urge to write lately.

i smiled up at him, and said, “i don’t need to.”

things are RIGHT where they need to be. i’ve got everything that i set out to find when i hit a slump in 2004, and even if it’s not here, tangible in front of me, the motions are occurring to bring it to fruition. i don’t need a ring to PROVE to people that i’m in love. and, honestly, that makes me think that it’s happening for the right reasons.

i also don’t need to write about how happy i am for it to be true. i am happy. busy, yeah.. stressed, sure.. but happy. this christmas show was the best thing i could’ve done for myself. is it fantastic? nah. but it’s cute. and everyone is having a great time. (well, all those who are well, anyway.. and elyse will get better soon..) and it’s low-key. and i had forgotten the healing power of walking into a room and having people GLAD to have you there.

so you may wonder why i’ve been rather superficial as of late. it’s because, honestly, i’ve got a helluva good thing going on offline.

for those of you blessed people who have tomorrow off, have a lovely holiday.