That bridge.

There we were...climbing down the steep hill. Down into the shadows. Down into the rain. But it isn't really raining.

It smells lovely. Like that cold dark smell of Pirates of the Caribbean (to you maybe it smells like mold, but I love it just the same). Like other places that we have shared. Together.

He warned of it being a hike, but easier than the last. The last hike brought me to this....

Which I complained about (and almost passed out about) but also loved. LOVED. It is worth the hike, the effort. Even when the end result is just to look back and say that you did it. Even when the end is not the most beautiful thing you've ever seen - but the fact that you struggled (me more than he) to get there makes it worth it. Those stupid power bars never tasted so good. And it's the first time I've wanted water over mountain dew. I think there is a parable here, but I'm not quite sure what it is...

But on this day, I wore slippery shoes. He wore a black T-shirt.

We hiked down and then up and then sat.

For an hour - while he maybe was trying to gather the whatever it takes to do whatever it was he wanted to do... I was just watching the others. On this day there was plenty to see. It was like gay pride meets the biggest loser on this day, and we loved every minute of it. (Well, I did)

This place was, and is, beyond beautiful.

My regret is that I didn't get to follow the boy scouts to the other side. I was afraid I'd slip and fall. I didn't get to the finish line :( So we climbed back down, after sitting for a while, and found our way back up and home.

Later I found that this is the place he goes to contemplate and share. I didn't know this was his place or that it would become OUR place (I don't care what he says, I'm stealing his place). I didn't know he had a ring in his pocket.

We found our way home. And crashed into the bed for a nap. Which is where he put an owl on my finger.

"And high up above or down below

When you're too in love to let it go

But if you never try you'll never know

Just what you're worth"

Do you ever have song lyrics stream through your head? I always do. It's like the voices that people talk about that make them crazy, except mine are song lyrics (and I'm not crazy). I don't love Coldplay, even though I think they are great, I doubt I would see them in concert. I think it's because he named his daughter Apple, and really, who does that? This song, I love, and it comes up randomly on my Ipod and also in my mind. On this day, in my mind, was this song.

It felt appropriate except for the part that says that I will 'try to fix you' because it is me that needs the fixing (obviously, as I'm the one with voices in my head). The line that does seem appropriate would be...

"I promise you

I will learn from my mistakes"

I love these hikes. And I love to know that I have a companion that will hike with me. Maybe forever.

*Maybe next time the soundtrack will be a little more appropriate.