years gone by

So, there is this man I know, Jim. I met him,,,,,ooooooohhhh, eleven years ago. When I first met him, we were both involved with other people. I must say that eleven years encompasses my entire adult life. And when we started dating, after our other relationships dissolved, we started to fall in love. At some point, he brings his best friend, Mark, to meet me while I am at work in the pharmacy. All of my thoughts are on Jim, but I hit it off with Mark. Not in a romantic way, but in a "I want to impress you, you are the best friend of the man I am falling in love with" kind of way. So, I take Mark up on his offer to drive me home in his chick-magnet camaro, and I say yes. And it is a smooth 5 minute ride before we meet up again with Jim. Jim and I talked later, and there was much concern that I was more interested in Mark than I was with Jim. I assured Jim, no, I only have eyes for you.

Some years later, Mark is the best man in my wedding to Jim. We are glorious friends, the four of us, now completed by my maid of honor, Christie. We see Mark and Christie at holidays, and the occasional beer or brunch moment. We do not see eachother often, but there is a connection that lasts forever.

Jim and I are seperated now, and in our hearts, divorced. For a year and a half. Divorce is hard. I miss his family, and the connection I had with him.

This year, I am making out my Christmas cards. In my address book, I see Mark's address written in my husband's handwritting. I decide, I am going to send Mark a Christmas card.

I was so happy when I came back at Christmas break to see a card from Mark. I do not want to ruin his friendship with Jim, but I am happy to hear from my beloved friend. There is no romance between Mark and I. Just a kinship. It is as if we are family. And I am glad to hear from him for the first time in two years.

When I tell Jim (who ironically is a friend of mine) that I have heard from Mark, the same jealousy is there that was there eleven years ago.