By Sonya Coleman

 

Get ready to embark on an extraordinary voyage infused with romance, adventure, and captivating narratives. We are delighted to present to you a compilation of stories that will transport you to enchanting destinations, immersing you in the realm of love and travel.

Within this series, you will discover the crème de la crème, the finest works from the Love Lust or Bust Dating and Travel short story contest.

These remarkable tales have been meticulously chosen from a pool of gifted writers who poured their passion and creativity into crafting narratives that whisk you away to far-flung corners of the globe.

As you delve into this collection, you will encounter vibrant characters, diverse cultures, and awe-inspiring landscapes that form the backdrop for unforgettable love stories. Each narrative possesses its own distinctive allure, providing profound insights into the intricacies of dating in unfamiliar territories, the exhilaration of spontaneous encounters, and the transformative magic of travel.

Join us in celebrating the literary brilliance of the top 20 winners of the contest. Allow their words to sweep you off your feet and transport you to a realm where love and adventure intertwine in the most exquisite and profound ways. Prepare yourself for a literary expedition that will linger in your heart and mind, and hopefully will inspire you to be open and courageous to go on your own journey.

Today, we are thrilled to bring you this intriguing story below. Enjoy, and please leave your thoughts in the comment section below.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

 

Single! I was single again after being in the most mentally draining relationship I had ever experienced!

 

I could feel the stress slowly melting off me like a physical weight.  No more having to have my GPS on every second, no more isolation, no more silent treatment for weeks or questioning my own sanity.

 

I was going to be able to travel again, visit my own family, work outside my home, and see friends.

 

I had my freedom and I needed to find a life worth living again.

 

After two years of healing, building a career, and reconnecting with friends and family, I was ready to travel and date once more. I did NOT want a serious relationship at all, however. What I wanted was to simply reconnect to the outside world in general and that included the odd supper date.

 

As many of us do these days, I headed to the internet and joined a dating site through Facebook. One night, a few weeks later, I happened to go to the site for something to do. As I browsed profiles, one stood out to me. This guy had a recreational trailer! I love to go camping! Perhaps we would have more in common. 

 

For a list of dating apps and sites for travel lovers, click here.

 

Getting hopeful, I continued to read his profile. Uh oh, he would love to cook someone a lobster meal. I love lobster but I’m highly allergic. I’m so allergic to shellfish that it can kill me. I just had to message this guy. I texted him that he would kill me if he served me lobster and he laughed and said he could take me out for supper instead.

 

After a brief conversation through texting, we agreed to go to a local restaurant. Our meeting almost didn’t happen though because he was so busy and I was as well.  Several weeks went by and truthfully I forgot all about him until he finally contacted me again. 

 

We met at a local restaurant and my first impression was WOW what a tall guy! Handsome in a rugged way and I loved his big ole masculine hands!

 

We sat and ordered supper and as our date progressed, I realized I was having a great time! I also thought he had such a nice casual manner and he just seemed to be such a solid person.

 

At one point in our meal, as my date was talking, I really looked at this man across from me and thought, “I’m going to marry you”. I don’t know where the thought came from because I never wanted to marry again, ever,  but the thought came in loud and clear and my heart skipped a beat. 

 

Our meal ended about 2 hours later and we left the restaurant. Out on the sidewalk, he politely thanked me for the company and I thanked him for the meal. He then said goodbye and walked away leaving me there surprised. No mention of a second date, no hug, nothing!  Could I have been so wrong? Oh well, it was a great date nevertheless and I went home content.  

 

Minutes after I arrived home, this man, “Pat” texted me saying he had a great time. So I told him!  We made several dates that week, driving around seeing Christmas lights, coffee and cookies, and an evening walk, and before the week was out, I asked Pat if he would go on a trip with me.

 

I was dying to travel and if nothing, we could go as friends. Pat had never been outside of our province so I thought this is going to be fun! 

 

We flew out to the Dominican Republic, to a beautiful adult-only All-Inclusive Secrets Resort. 

 

We arrived late at night and ordered everything off the menu and had a feast on the big king-size bed, giggling like kids. 

 

The next morning would be the start of the best vacation I have ever had in my life. We went to the beach, burned ourselves badly, drank enough for several people, lost ourselves in one another in a hot tub full of people, ate the best food ever, and danced and laughed, the night away. 

 

It felt like I was having the most amazing dream. I was falling quickly and deeply for this wonderful man whom I was just barely getting to know. Could this wonderful man really fall in love with me though? Time would tell.

 

Fortunately for us, life was going to throw us even more together thanks to COVID. Upon re-entering our country we had to quarantine for two weeks. Thank you, Lord! 

 

We had so much fun, each day was a fuzzy warm blur. Pat said “I love you” first and I responded with absolute truth, that I loved him as well.

 

Pat remained living with me after COVID and a couple of weeks later he proposed on one knee with a beautiful solitaire.

 

He sold his home and we were married 8 months later surrounded by his family who accepted me with open arms. Pat was a widow and I had no family living in the same province.

 

We have been together for three years now and I am thankful for every minute we get to spend together! Pat is retired and shortly after our marriage, I also retired, to join him in a life we always dreamed of. We have two dogs and spend our free time camping, fishing, hiking, and exploring the hundreds of ocean beaches around us. Our next trip is in a month from now and I cannot wait to explore another country again with my love. To me, This is what they call “Living the Dream”!

 

Have you ever met someone online? Was it love, lust, or a “bust”? Share your experience in the comment section below!

 

 

0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This
Verified by ExactMetrics