Well, some of my Forum buddies urged me to post this. I haven't been around for a while, so I know there are a lot of newbies who will maybe read this and not know all my history, but for those of you who do, who were there during the crazy times and through all the misery of those first weeks and months, and then later when I was taking my first baby steps into the world of dating after the collapse of a 34-year marriage, I want to pass on my newfound joy. My guy -- yes the one I met on match.com last October -- and I have put a contract in on a house together. Today the realtor called to tell us that the seller has accepted our offer. We are planning to move in together as soon as we have our closing, which could be as early as July 1st.

How did this all come about? We took our trip through the mountain states together -- some of you were aware of that event. And we found that after being together 24/7 for 12 days, we had not gotten enough. In fact, we longed for each other terribly when we parted. We have spent almost every day since our return together, and finally made the decision to buy a house together and move in. We looked at a couple of places, and found a perfect fixer-upper in the country on 3 acres, so we can have a horse, Kat! And the house is quite quirky and eccentric, perfect for us since we're both a bit quirky, too. There is lots of room for the two of us and our cat and dog -- who, by the way still loathe each other, but maybe we can get them to at least live in harmony, fingers crossed.

But most important of all -- I am the happiest I have ever been in my life, and he says he is, too. I sometimes feel an almost overwhelming need to send my X a great big bouquet of flowers and a Thank You note. But I'm not sure where I would send it -- to his cabin in the woods, to his GF's house, or to his therapist's office. He's still suffering, or so I hear.

Anyway, so this is a great big hug and kiss to all of you who were there when I needed you so so badly, and another one to those of you I don't even know. There is life -- and guess what? love, too -- after Divorce! Keep your chin up. Keep walking forward. This part of life that you're going through now, think of it as a bump in a long road, because it really is simply that, no matter how much it might hurt to take that bump. You will heal, and you will be stronger for all the scars.

XOXO
Cindy