the Other Side of The Street - Memories

Well, after that last post by Jaime I guess I should recall my earliest memories for two reasons. One, it will help me as I get older and my mind starts to go. And two... um, I forget what the second reason was. 

Anyways, I agree with Jaime that I first met her through work; I was a short-term foster parent and she was one of the many part-time students that were willing to provide respite either by taking the kids out for a couple of hours or in some cases staying overnight while sometimes I had to make plans to sleep elsewhere (no, this was never a popular option with me or any of the other houseparents). So she actually was sleeping in my bed many months before we met, just we were never in it at the same time. 

She was dating someone else when I first met her - I was preoccupied with my own relationship matters ending. And to get it out of the way - yes, to those who are late arriving into our movie - I was married back in 2006. I met a girl and we got married in 6ish weeks - it was over (in my mind) in a month but I really threw in the towel after 3 months. I will always remember this because during my self-loathing I would wonder how Tom Green and Drew Barrymore were married for five months when I could only get to three. I mean... Tom Green....come on! 

Anyways, sometime the next Spring I believe I met Jaime (2007?). I recall paying her $40 for some extra 'babysitting' one Saturday - it was really just an excuse to spend a few minutes with her debriefing and to show her I was made of money (ha, joke's on her). She invited me to a Sushi night but being the introvert I am, I basically arrived late, threw a bottle of saki on her table, said hello to the 1/2 dozen other friends of hers that were there and left as quick as I arrived.

I occasionally would bump into her during work-related events involving the kids - she'd bring them to Rec night and join in on a floor hockey game or something. At this time I was never expecting much or even really seeing her as a romantic option in my life - again, my own issues were still going on plus she was 13 years younger than me. For the record, she still is 13 years younger but it's not as creepy anymore when you use the 'Creep or No Creep' Formula for dating. I was right on the edge back then. More on that another time

Our First Christmas Portrait Photo Shoot

So... we started to hang out a few times playing trivia at the pubs I guess - it was a nice group back then and the only time I think I ever felt like I was in a group that wasn't primarily because we all worked at the same place. There was usually always a fresh face or two at these things so you'd never know who would show up - sometimes it was Jaime. Sometimes, we would be at the pub she worked at (I recall a lunch hour meal with Jaime as our waitress). But nothing ever transpired or made me feel like anything ever would be where we are today. Then somewhere in there I heard she broke up with her boyfriend and I was like 'oh'.

My FIRST real moment with Jaime - she asked me if I would take some Christmas pictures of her so she could send back to Parry Sound. They had never been out here and I guess she thought I was good with a camera. So we took some pictures of her at her house on North Nechako, a few around PG, then up to UNBC and took some more up there. After we were done we were inside the Atrium looking at the pics and there was this one... I wish I could find it on my computer but I can't... anyways, the shadows, the lighting, just everything about it - it was perfect. Those who do photography, golf, heck, even hunt - there's that time when you just know - that's a perfect shot the moment you let it go.

It was one of those moments that lasts longer than you probably think it does but neither of us said anything. I couldn't even look at her or I may have tried to kiss her. And I think she would have been okay with that (I found out many weeks later it would have been).

Life went on - she loved the pictures and after she had some time to herself she started to call me up at 11pm - saying she was 'in the neighbourhood' and wanted to know if I wanted some company. Trust me, I wasn't a booty call.

This 11pm phone call happened for many weeks, the Spice Girls' reunion single (aka Friendship Never Ends) was on steady rotation on Much (it sucked but was always coming on) so that must have been November 2007. After the 3rd time it came on, I'd yawn and basically say I'm going to bed. Jaime would take the hint and in a remarkable case of self-restraint, say she was going home too.

That's it for this week...

Jordan, my boy from another mother

Avery, our girl that changed everything.

Our back-up baby, Kennedy

romance (is a two way street)

Ok so I (Jaime) am not as good at this writing thing, but it has been drawn to my attention that I have yet to make a post on here. I have also been reminded that romance is a two way street! So anyways I have carved out some time(while Jay puts the kids to bed) to share some memories of our early romance.
So Jay and I met working together at Axis Family Resources. We got to spend some time working together and being colleagues and friends, which really helped me get accustomed to his sense of humor. So we had hung out a few times socially with a group of his friends at the pub playing music trivia. We were really a great team as Jay could easily name anything 1990 and older, while I owned the 90's and 00's. Anyhow, I texted Jay one evening and asked him if he would like to meet for a drink, just the two of us. He replied with "was that text intended for me? you know this is Jay right?" I could see I had my work cut out for me. We did end up meeting for a drink that night, at which point he took this picture of pretending to pick my nose.

                                                This is romance

So you can see how the sparks flew immediately. As any relationship goes, it's not always moments of romantic perfection. But there are a lot of laughs. If there is one thing that Jay can do, it is make me laugh. The other thing that Jay was really good at back then was taking beautiful pictures. He had many artsy pictures of his dogs and nature, and of course of me.

                                                 study snuggle time

When we started pending more time together, I would often find Jay off to the side taking pictures of me doing something rather uninteresting. But he sure knew how to make me feel beautiful.
Occasionally he would take part in a picture.

                                                     yay we're both in this one!

Once we were officially an item Jay was always good at making time for just us. We were out one night on a date and ended up talking for a while with two other guys who joined our table. The guys were all hitting it off talking about.....I don't remember, guy stuff. When it came time to head out the guys invited Jay to stay and hang with them. Jay responded "no offence but look at her. \it's a no brainer". The guys didn't argue and I felt beautiful again.
So maybe he's always been the romantic one and I just get by being cute? I guess we'll have to see what he says about that one!