A Story About Two People

I want to tell you a story about two people.

Two people who fit together, as he says, like a jigsaw puzzle.

I tell him I like him more and more everyday.

There are moments we cling to each other, moments we push away, moments we fall back and moments we fall forward - both alone and together.

We are a complicated pair. In our own heads often. Intense. Independent. Damaged (and I mean that in the best possible way). Passionate. We are so very different and so very much the same.

We have tangled schedules. We tip toe. We ask forgiveness. I soften as I remember these are new pathways and I can choose something different this time.

We inhabit a new territory. Our families broke open. We know that sadness. We know the questions and the fear and the desire to create and build and protect. We know what it's like to know someone forever and ever and then have that person disappear (even though both are still integral pieces of our lives). We know the reality of stories that have an ending.

We also know new joy and we've felt that rush of a beginning.

We are learning as we grow. Alone and together about who we are as individuals and who we are together and what it means to have our families expand.

I don't know how this story will end. It's happening right now and we're living it. Sometimes these sorts of stories are really hard to tell because you're living in the middle of it.

If we always waited for the end to tell a story we'd miss so much.

When I feel most afraid I remind myself that there are things to say, and things to celebrate, and pieces to document without fear of how the story will end. Do stories ever really end? Or do they just change and curve and zig zag and evolve into the next one?

Our family stories are different now, but they are still our families.

What I know is this, he has a huge giant heart of gold even when he tries to hide it with jokes and sarcasm. And the cure for everything just might be pie. Pumpkin for him, fruit for me.

We are in it people. One day at a time.

To be continued.

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186 thoughts

  1. Ali says…
    07/10/2014

    truly adore this post....and it brought so much meaning to my life today. I just had a breakup after almost 2 years...and it was sudden, to a person I thought was "it". I didn't know how to go back and tell the story of time together (in my PL book), but now I know. I just tell my story and he was part of it.

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. Dori says…
    07/10/2014

    Wow! It's so clear to see from whom Anna inherited her mighty heart.

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Janet says…
    07/10/2014

    A truly great story!
    ~God bless~

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Nora says…
    07/10/2014

    Really loved reading this...thanks for sharing such meaningful thoughts.

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  5. Helen says…
    07/10/2014

    Beautiful. I'm in the beginning stages of formalising a separation (two young children involved): every day is hard, because I can't see the end and that represents uncertainty, something I've never really lived with and so something I've never really developed any defense mechanisms for :( But, life goes on....it has to, and what doesn't kill us makes us stronger....
    P.S. Loving seeing you wearing 'younger' looking clothes - you're rocking those boyfriend jeans - go you!!!!

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  6. christine d says…
    07/10/2014

    You are the poster child for handling a public divorce with grace. I love this story!

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Leanne in CA says…
    07/10/2014

    Love this and love that you're putting yourself out there, being honest, enjoying life and living in the moment. Amen!

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. Carrie says…
    07/10/2014

    Crying. For multiple reasons. Thank you, friend.

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. Jana Oliveira says…
    07/10/2014

    I wished I had this special gift of expressing with words.
    Thanks for sharing

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. Brene says…
    07/10/2014

    Thanks for being so brave and so beautiful.

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Becky Marrs says…
    07/10/2014

    Ali + words = wisdom and awesomeness
    Priceless!

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Vianna says…
    07/10/2014

    Whether together for a year or 23 ... your words encapsulate the story of myriad couples. LIVE fully, enjoy the journey ... only The Fates know where the road goes. I wish you all the best, Ali, personally and professionally. I've been reading your blog for ten plus years, even if I only rarely comment. You remain an inspiration to many (as a person and as a scrapbooking maven). Stay healthy and be happy ♥

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  13. Jennie says…
    07/10/2014

    What a heartfelt and honest post, Ali! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. KristineS says…
    07/10/2014

    lovely

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Gwen says…
    07/10/2014

    You are my idol....
    I have followed you for over 15 years and I am still amazed and inspired by you over and over.

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Sherrie says…
    07/10/2014

    The world is round and the place which may seem like the end may also be only the beginning.
    --Ivy Baker Priest

    Thank you Ali for sharing your heart so beautifully.

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. Katherine Ware says…
    07/10/2014

    Go, Ali and Aaron, Go!! <3

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. clippergirl says…
    07/10/2014

    Awesomeness!

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Julie B says…
    07/10/2014

    Love the vulnerability in this post. thank you for sharing your intimate conversation with yourself. Wishing you both all the best.

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. Brenda says…
    07/10/2014

    Wow I love this. I wish I could document my now as well. You are amazing.

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. Nancy Wyatt says…
    07/10/2014

    Gosh you have such a way with words and thoughts and I do love hearing your outlook on life. Thanks for sharing this with us. I know your story will always be a good one, even with all the real life sometimes messy stuff, it is good. Always wishing the best for you and your littles. Hugs from Conroe, TX

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Deann says…
    07/10/2014

    Ali, you are just so good.

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. Abby says…
    07/10/2014

    Your story is proof of a couple of things: "when one door closes, another door opens", and "everything happens for a reason, even if we don't initially see it". As hard as your combined pasts were, it looks like you were meant to find each other and begin a new and different journey...together. Best wishes, and thank you for sharing.

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. Peg says…
    07/10/2014

    As a lady I admire a great deal likes to say....Go Ali GO! :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Trina says…
    07/10/2014

    beautifully written Ali, it actually brought tears to my eyes. I Bm so happy for you and him and hope your story continues. You also have a huge heart, don't forget that. :-)

    Reply 0 Replies

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