Haibun: Valentine’s Day

Haibun: Valentine’s Day

We met online – a true romance of the 1990’s. He answered an online ad I had placed along with 20,000 other folk who responded. But his stood out, mainly because he was a local and he didn’t try to wow me. Just introduced himself, some of his interests, and where he worked. Quiet. Simple. I responded. We emailed a couple of weeks and then I called him. His voice was melodious and educated and he had a dry wit. After telephoning for a week, we decided to meet at a local restaurant for lunch. He said he had taekwondo and would meet me afterwards. I had been told about his physical appearance – medium tall, medium build, balding. I had shared my physical appearance – short and round like a beach ball. We liked each other at first sight and began dating. At first cautious and then throwing the wildness into the wind.

He took me to his parent’s home on Valentine’s Day. They were staying at Myrtle Beach for the winter and he was taking care of their home. He showed me around and then very quietly, he asked me to sit on the couch. My heart went cold. “He is breaking up with me” I thought. He went over to the piano and began to chord and to talk-sing, “Never gonna give you up” chord chord chord “Never gonna let you down” chord chord chord – all the way through the Rick Astley song that spoke to us both. He then left the piano and came over to the couch and kneeled on one knee. “I love you. Will you marry me?” I threw myself on him hugging him for all I was worth. “Yes! Oh yes!”

snow falling outside –
fire on the hearth roses in a vase –
love blooming within