Oh, the hectic days. Rushing in, rushing out, rushing here and there. Passing each other on the go with a quick kiss and "have a good day--see you later" but not knowing when "later" will be. Seeing each other about five minutes before we are falling asleep in the evening. Let's take a break from it all.

How about four days cozied up in a jacuzzi suite of a hotel? How about four days of having champagne and chocolate covered strawberries delivered to the room...champagne that we will sip in rose petal-covered sheets. How about dinners at the nicest restaurant around and sumptuous breakfast buffets. And how about days spent hiking, skiing, sledding...or just snuggling and soaking in the pool--or our own jacuzzi? Yes. This is what we need.

The plans are set, the arrangements all made, even the packing is done. But, alas, the best laid plans of mice and men....

Instead, we will spend the four days listening to me honk and wretch and moan as the flu and a touch of bronchitis decide to spend some time with us.

I am so upset. This was to be our weekend. Time to do nothing but enjoy each other.

And yet, somehow, we did. Romance is found in champagne and strawberries for sure, but it is also found in the gentle hand of comfort that holds you as fever makes little bunnies and stars dance in front of your eyes. It is found in the eggs and soup and juice brought to you even though you have no appetite and can't taste food, anyway. It's found in the warmth of the one who holds you close during the night instead of smothering you with a pillow to quiet your incessant hacking.

I don't know how, and I certainly don't know why, but J managed to make our weekend something special. Admidst the sneezing and couging and sleeping, and there was a LOT of sleeping, he was there to hold my hand or head and look at me with love. He didn't even get grossed out by the phlegm! (It was pretty gross, by the way.)

Just another lesson of life: if love is in your heart, romance can be found anywhere.

Oh, yeah--and I'm pretty lucky to have him.