Guest Post: Jamie Watson
/Good day, friends of Sweet Eventide! My name is Jamie Watson and I have a blog called PineappleLuv. When Jess asked me to be a guest here, I was honored and a little nervous. But I truly only had this one idea for it. Something so special it brings tears to my eyes.
You see, Jess is one of my best friends. When I met her in late 2001, it was friendship at first sight. She had just fallen in love with Jeff (now her husband). Anyone around them could feel the giddyness of their love and they were constantly smiling. Well, fast forward a few months in early 2002 when I met Jay (now my husband). Something hit me like a ton of bricks but I was so nervous about it all! I started relying on the expert, Jess, for my personal love advice.
About 7 months into my relationship, Jess shared with me love advice so wise and profound, it stands the test of time. Anyone around the world could read these words on lasting love and gather comfort. This is what I would like to share with you all. Please enjoy in Jess's own words, her (edited) loving email to me in early 2003.
Polaroid of Jess and I in Venice, California, 2002
I just thought of something else. The constant butterfly feeling from the beginning has been replaced not by "plain" feelings but a feeling even better than butterflies. I don't know how to explain it. Maybe it's like cement. Not very romantic sounding. When Jeff and I first fell in love, I felt electric when I touched him or thought about him. He would touch my hand with his and I literally would feel a shock. It was amazing. It's a high.
Now when he touches my hand with his, I don't feel that. But it feels even better. I feel solid with his hand on mine, I am not in shock from the electricity, so I can see how strong his hands are and yet how soft and tender. When Jeff is away and I think of him, my belly doesn't do flip-flops all the time, but it feels settled. I feel cemented to the earth knowing he is out there in the world coming home to me. I guess you can call it plain, but it doesn't feel plain. It's like vanilla, some say it's the most boring flavor out there. But if you have real vanilla, it has amazing layers of deep flavor.
The best thing about moving past the all-the-time butterflies is you get this stronger feeling of security and when they come back to visit (as they do!), you have a doubly good feeling in your heart. You get to feel totally secure and safe while going on a mini-rollercoaster. I think that is what keeps a good relationship going for years and years and years. Butterflies are not very strong creatures, they are not cement.
Polaroid of Jeff and Jess at their old home in Venice, California, 2002
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Thank you Jess, I will always treasure these words that truly helped me. I imagine us as old ladies baking pies together, talking about our families and our loves.