Meet My Boyfriend

By: Allison Norris

It was recently brought to my attention that I have not provided any details about my boyfriend on my blog.  Sorry… especially to my sweet follower Madge Woods.  This one is for you!

I met my boyfriend Toby through a friend in July of last year.  He was nervous and shy and so, so nice.  Much nicer than I am.  And cute!  He’s so cute.   He’s the kind of guy who takes a CPR class for fun and then months later finds a woman drowning in the water and pulls her out and saves her life.  Nevermind that she was trying to commit suicide and he totally ruined her plan (ok, so he’s not that nice)…

It has to be interesting dating a single mom.  I don’t think it’s easy.  It takes a special man to see the joy and beauty in parenting when it isn’t their child.  I know these men are out there because I know many of them, and I’d always hoped that I would find one like this.  He comes over around dinner time when we’re tired and things are a little chaotic.  He plays trucks with Bay until I finish cooking and then sets the table.  He does the dishes while I give Bay a bath and put him to bed, and then rubs my shoulders on the couch until I usually fall asleep, or am so pooped out that I can hardly have a conversation.  Never mind that he’s a 30-year-old healthy young man… I’m just too tired.

He knows  that I can’t just go grab drinks with friends, and staying out late means midnight.  He understands that I need notice before doing anything that requires finding a babysitter, and he never tries to parent my child.

He’s a test fisherman for the state, meaning he fishes every day for his job.  He collects data on Salmon and gets to be outside on the water.  Maybe that’s why he is so cool and calm – he’s one with the sea every day. 

He takes beautiful photos of the whales, eagles, and other wildlife he sees, but says he’s not a photographer.  He lives on a house boat in Lake Union… just like Tom Hanks in Sleepless in Seattle, except his is chilly and has spiders, but it has a great view!

It has been a slow and healthy relationship.  We have taken the time to get to know each other… not jumping in to anything.  It has been nice and  I am still getting to know him a little more each day.  I’m constantly surprised and amazed at his thoughtfulness, willingness to help, and his understanding of my life.  He’s never said a negative word about my son, his dad, or my situation.  He supports me and loves me for who I am – which can be a whole lot of impatience and exhaustion.  He drives me crazy sometimes (it can’t always be rainbows and sunshine, he’s a picky eater for goodness sake), and we’ve had a few disagreements, but in the end, we’re learning about each other and I want to know more!

So there you go, Madge, now you know about my Toby.