I returned home to my hometown, Plymouth, Wisconsin, two weeks before Christmas with some reservations. My dad had passed away one year earlier and I hadn’t been back home since. My intent was to clean out my dad’s house and put it up for sale.
The day I arrived I noticed the streets were decorated for the Christmas season. I wondered why I chosen this particular time to come home, but something kept nagging at me to do it now.
I pulled up in front of dad’s house. The house was kept up nicely while I was gone. As I placed my key in the lock, I felt as if someone was watching me. I heard a voice from behind me ask, “What are you trying to do?” I spun around to see this handsome man standing there with a jean jacket on with a hooded sweatshirt underneath for warmth.
The man was someone I felt that I had a connection with, but I couldn’t pinpoint it. He had shoulder length blond hair, a blond mustache and a slender built. His eyes were so blue, that they just captured my attention. I felt chills on the back of my neck at the same time I felt a warm feeling inside.
I informed this incredibly handsome man that I owned this house and I had returned to sell it, but I couldn’t seem to get the key to work in the door. He smiled and offered his hand in a handshake. He said his name was Bobby.
He explained that he had always looked after the house since dad died so that no one would break in or do any damage to the house or garage. Bobby lived in the house across the street. He had changed the locks after someone tried to break in nine months ago.
I asked him who asked him to do this and Bobby replied, “Your dads sister had asked me to watch the place and keep up with the yard work.” I was stunned, since no one had told me.
I told Bobby that I would be cleaning out the house and putting it up for sale before Christmas. He offered to help with whatever I needed. I thanked him and ask him for a key to the house. Bobby pulled out a key and gave it to me. As his hand touched mine, I felt the warmth of his hand and another chill come over me.
I haven’t felt this way ever. What was wrong with me? It isn’t like I have never been touched by a man or been around men before, but this was a feeling I had never felt before.
I entered the house where it was warm. The first thing I noticed was the Christmas tree in the corner by the fireplace. I was shocked! Why would anyone put up a tree in a house where no one lived?
Well, I had a lot of work to do before the holidays, so I started going through closets and cabinets to see what I would keep and give to the local thrift stores.
The next day, I went to the local grocery store for boxes. I ran into Bobby again. He asked how I was doing and if the house had everything I needed? I explained that I was fine and was finding that the house was well cared for while I was gone. I asked about the tree. Bobby said that my dad’s sister wanted to put up a tree in case I came home for Christmas.
I talked to my aunt that afternoon. She was so excited that I came home. We chatted about things and then she asked if I had met Bobby? I said that I had and he was very friendly and nice looking. Aunt Shelia told me, Bobby was available and very handsome. This wasn’t what I came home for, but she always was a matchmaker.
One week had passed and I was busy packing boxes and sorting through dad’s things. I was hoping to leave the day before Christmas so could get back home, although I had no one waiting for me to return.
Two days before Christmas Eve, there was a knock at the door. It was Bobby. I invited him in for a drink. As we sat at the table talking about my dad, Bobby told me that he remembered me from school. He went on to describe me perfectly. But, I couldn’t place him.
As we chatted, I felt a warm sense of security sitting with Bobby. I learned so much about him and so much about myself. I guess I wasn’t all that nice to Bobby in school. I was a bully, he said as he laughed. Yes, I remembered being a handful, but a bully, and to this handsome man. I was laughing right along with Bobby, when he asked me to take an evening walk with him through the downtown to see the lights and watch the parade.
I really didn’t want to do it, but I agreed. Sometime during the night, we ended up holding hands and laughing like little kids on their first date. I felt warm and cozy inside, even though, it was so cold outside.
When we got back to dad’s house, Bobby made a fire and I made some hot chocolate with a dash of Bailey’s Irish Cream. I don’t know if it was the alcohol or the fire, but Bobby kissed me. I kissed him back. That warm feeling was now something else I had never experienced. I was looking into his eyes and feeling a wave of what I call ‘puppy love’ come over me.
After that night, Bobby and I became close. I stayed longer than I was planning, but it was worth it. My ‘puppy love’ turned into true love. Bobby and I have been married for one year and have a little angle on the way. She is due on Christmas. The same day we were married one year ago, which is two years after we met and fell in love at Christmas.