Trip to Tennessee

The Months leading up to My Trip to Tennessee

The months leading up to my trip to Tennessee to see David were filled with anticipation. We were officially dating but in a long-distance relationship. David and I talked all the time and even started to use Oovoo to see one another. We were getting to know each other on a different level. This included asking questions and not just assuming we knew the answers. It was one of the ways I knew he was serious. He wanted to know what I wanted out of life and out of this relationship. He told me what he desired as well. I could see from the start, communication was going to be our biggest tool. He wanted me to always feel safe talking to him. That meant no matter what needed to be said, he would be opened to not only hearing me but listening to understand me. We began to learn each other’s communication styles. This was very important. Men and women communicate differently. Most times people can tell you what they want but sometimes you must be thoughtful enough to listen to what’s not being said. In doing this, you can’t be too invasive or pushy either. Becoming a safe space for your significant other is no small thing. David and I did just this during our courtship.

Touchdown on My Trip to Tennessee

My touchdown in Tennessee was satisfying to say the least. Even though I had just seen David in July and it was now the end of September, it felt like this trip was long overdue. See, we had been discussing my trip to Tennessee since before I bought my house. So of course, I have fantasized thoroughly about this trip lol. If this was a first impression, it would have been thee best! He was more handsome than the last time I saw him. I didn’t even think it was possible, but he was starting to resemble a dark piece of “Chocolate Covered Forbidden Fruit.” ( It’s a book. If you know, you know.) The way I saw it I had two options. I could mess this up and allow myself to enjoy the fruit from this tree right now in it’s forbidden state. This meant I would probably only have temporary access. It would be immediate gratification but after that then back to reality. The other option is I could wait until this tree had matured a bit more and no longer being forbidden, enjoy every piece of fruit from this tree whenever I wanted to. This would require patience and discipline but in the end, I would have access to the whole tree with all of it’s fruit and the seeds they bare. That’s an endless harvest! I chose the latter.

Our Outings

David had already asked me if there was anything I wanted to do before I arrived. I knew nothing about Tennessee, so I was open to anything he had planned for us. We went on a nature bike-ride through Enterprise Park. The trails were so peaceful. It was if we had the whole park to ourselves. We stopped at a wildlife viewing platform to take a break and a chance to make some memories. David and I spent one of our days at the riverside. We had dinner, walked and talked, and just enjoyed being by the water. Another day we got a bit more adventurous and made our way up to Point Park on Look Out Mountain. The views there were breath taking. From this location we could see several states.

I Liked Where Things Where Going

I liked where things were going with us. This was only the second visit between the two of us and already I was excited for the 3rd, 4th, and 5th. Everything we were doing together created anticipation for the next time. One of the things I appreciate the most about our relationship is that David plays an active part in our plans. He doesn’t just leave it all up to me. He shows me he can be creative and thoughtful by listening to what I like and later choosing something creative to do, with those interests in mind. This just added more proof in the pudding for me. It was also a breath of fresh air to date someone with some originality. I mean we did dinner and a movie and the whole night-time dating scene but we also got out in the day-time and did adventurous stuff when the sun was up. Have you ever been in one of those relationships where the only time you guys got out together was at night? Anyways, I wondered how we would continue to keep things fresh and what was next for us. Just before it was time for me to leave, David told me his job was rewarding their best employees with a trip to Vegas and they could bring a plus one. I guess you know what that means… Vegas, here we come!