I made up all kinds of excuses as to why I couldn’t go out with him even though he was extremely charming. Somewhere, somehow, my radar kicked in and I knew I would be in for something that was out of the ordinary. I didn’t like change and I would fight with all my might to avoid having to experience adapting my safe and secure lifestyle.
Well, that lasted about three months and when the last excuse I could come up with, “I couldn’t date anyone who drove a Cadillac” inspired him to ask my boss what my favorite car was, he showed up in a new Jaguar!
Even though it was a tumultuous five years, he brought me out of my shell. He nurtured me into expanding my comfort zones and supported me in a way no one had ever done before. I might not have been prepared for all he had to offer, but I appreciate what he did for me.
When I met him, I wasn’t able to get on an airplane. I was terrified. He encouraged me to go after a job that paid nearly double what I was making when we met, but it required me to fly throughout California, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming and Nevada.
On one flight from El Paso to Alamagordo, New Mexico I was on a eight place twin engine plane sitting next to a pilot who was taking a flight home. We had to fly through a lightning and thunder storm and the turbulence was unnerving to say the least. This kind man held my hand and talked calmly to me until we landed. He suggested that I look into getting my pilot’s license to get over my fear of flying. It sounded like a practical solution, so I signed up for ground school as soon as I got back home. I got my pilot’s license and learned to love to fly; it was empowering and a major confidence booster.