How The Slow Dance of Friendship Led Us To An Unquantifiable Love

The best love I experienced came from a friend

I’ve been in love a few times. Each time was different from my previous love. Sometimes it’s been unrequited, and I’ve wallowed in the depths of despair.

I’ve been in love with those who taught me great lessons and those who haven’t.

At times, not so fortunate.

The best love I experienced came from a friend

I was at work and a new maintenance guy popped in for a repair. He seemed shy but nice. After the job was done, he was ready to go. As was my custom, I walked out to say goodbye and have a little chat. I remember his comments about the closure of parks in our province. I was struck by his dismay at our government’s decision.

Things went on as life is inclined to do so. I don’t recall any further contact through the rest of that year.

I moved locations and heard he got a job in management, a year or so later. I sent him a congratulatory letter. He was well suited to the job and wanted to let him know I was happy for him.

As was wont to happen, I put in a request for a job to be done. A week or so later, I received a call to clarify some issues around it. I was experienced in my job — but was surprised by the call. I thought I may have errored with the information. Why else would I get what I’d deem, an unnecessary call?

Yes, it was the “ new” guy because they remain, new guys, till a new one comes in.

A week later, he came in for a discussion on another matter, but it was near the end of the day. I had other places to go I said as I rushed past him. As I pulled away, I spied him as he returned to his vehicle and left. That’s curious, I thought.

I dropped by his office a few months later. Surreptitiously, I noticed he was fitter than before. My interest was piqued, although he hurried away before I could say anything more than a quick hello. I noticed he was still very shy.

It always seemed like months would pass before he came into my world again.

The next time I ran into him, he was back in his old job again. It’d been temporary, and it was a surprise that he was back in the fold. He had an annual check to do on equipment. It was fine with me. We chatted as I went with him while he worked. The chat was nice, and when he was done, he sauntered off.

A month went by, he came by to check on an item that required an annual check. We talked as I followed him. My head was in another place at the time, but I noted how he’d worked in the same area as before.

My thought was that he was the professional, so I shrugged my shoulders and paid no attention to my suspicions.

Life went on

As it happens, one day, I was so upset and let my tears fall at work. I didn’t worry, because it was early and no one else was around.

As that thought crossed my mind, I heard a knock at my office door. My mind scrambled to figure out who would be here. Sure enough, it was the “new” guy. Damn, I knew I looked terrible, but whatever, I thought.

He said he had something to check, and it wouldn’t take long. I mumbled something and let him into the room while I tried to hide my face.

He worked for a while, and when he was done, he sat down to talk. That was the last thing I wanted. I needed time to reflect on my issues, but he wasn’t about to let me go there. He stayed and chatted about all manner of things until I felt better.

It was nicer than I expected. Unbeknown to me, he had come there to check on something that he wasn’t sure he’d checked on before for the annual test. He said he’d forgotten to mark it down. Okay, so all was good. No longer suspicious, I let it go.

It was around Christmas time the next time we met. He stopped in to pick up some presents I’d purchased for his department. I appreciated their work and wanted to let them know.

I moved from that location a few months later. I often thought about that day, where the “new” guy had saved me from myself. Such a kind man.

Sometimes I wondered if he was interested in me, but most times I thought I was being naive.

I was only at my location for a day or so when all hell broke loose. This required a visit from the “new” guy. While he worked on the repair, I noticed he had become even fitter.

A week later, he showed up for an annual check on some equipment, which turned out to be a job that was solely his. That was the reason for his visits to my other location. It was a big job, so there goes that theory.

Once again, I was assured I was off in a dream world. I never was good at reading whether there was interest or not.

One day amid a huge snowstorm, he showed up to use my phone and computer to check for supplies for a job at another location. His phone lost the signal, and he couldn’t get it back.

He came in a few more times. At times he was alone. Other times he wasn’t. He had legitimate reasons for being there every time.

We had lots to talk about. We spoke about his interests and mine, nature, and hikes. Children and canoe trips. Exploring our environments.

One time he said he was going to be in Cuba. He was to meet his parents there. I asked him to bring me back some shells and said how I’d wanted to go to the tropics. He teased me and said he’d take me, but I’d have to share his room. We laughed, and off he went.

He came back to my location a couple of weeks later, with my shells and an apology because the best one had broken.

Is it real

I had been single for a few years, and he was single, too. It took a lot for us to convince ourselves that maybe we were attracted to one another.

The “ new” guy came by to repair another issue at my location and back again to do an annual check on some equipment.

As he left, he told me to give him a shout if I wanted to talk. I said I didn’t have his number. He said, send an email, I’ll get it.

I felt kind of anxious two days later when I decided to shoot him an email to say hello. It was early evening, and there was still no reply as I went off to bed. Maybe it was all in my head.

I awoke the next morning and felt embarrassed for my email, but figured it happens. I opened up my laptop as I waited for my coffee to finish.

Saturday mornings were a favorite, no hustle or bustle, just a relaxed day. I checked my emails…. Oh my god, I couldn’t believe my eyes, “Sorry, I went to bed early and missed your email.” And we began our life together from there.

And that leads to where we are now

A supportive love, with more understanding than I’ve ever had. We have discussions instead of arguments. He’s a man who sees things in a gentle way. He lives life with a different view. We explore the world together. Home and family come first. We push to keep ourselves active, and he always has my back… no questions there.

I was talking to a coworker, not too long ago, about the huge backcountry trips we go on. He said it’s cool that you do that together. I told him that it’s more than that.

We’ve built up a trust that runs deeper than anything I’ve experienced before. From that trust comes an unquantifiable love. How do I know this? Every time we go anywhere, I know Brent has my back… and when we go to the backcountry, I literally put my life in his hands.

To me, he’s a friend, my protector, my love, and I trust him with my life. What more can I ask from someone who was a friend and five years later became my Valentine. Life is not always perfect, but it’s our perfect.

Happy Valentine’s Day, Brent❤️

By the way, the annual job he did multiple times at multiple locations was his excuse to visit me. ❤️

Thank you for reading.

~ Elle