Military Man

I met Military Man in Australia at the end of January this year after climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge. He had been in my group for the climb but as it was done in single file it wasn't until my friends were buying pictures and he appeared on screen that I noticed him. My friends were taking awhile to decide what pictures to buy so I went outside to wait. Military man was there with another guy and shortly came over to talk to me. He asked what my plans were and so getting into the travelling spirit I invited both Military Man and the guy he was with to have dinner with my friends and I.

The other guy already had arrangements so headed off but Military Man took up the invitation and together with my 2 friends we went to a 24 hour diner called 'pancake on the rocks' to grab some food and celebratory drinks. I was enthralled by Military Man immediately. He was American (and I LOVE an American accent), gorgeous, really interesting and chatty. Even though I have dated several men since 'Mr oh so right but oh so wrong' (see 'the first cut is the deepest' blog for detail), I hadn't found a man who I was really interested in in terms of both body and mind so this was a big deal and I was excited. Those feelings I had forgotten existed were back in action. Yes, yes, yes!

After the restaurant Military Man and I walked behind my two friends and continued talking. We discovered that we would both be in Auckland, New Zealand at the same time and he asked for my contact details so that we could meet up. There was about a week in between meeting Military Man and us meeting again in Auckland but we were in constant contact. I couldn't wait to see him again.

I was going to New Zealand alone so meeting up with Military Man was the perfect way to start my NZ adventure. He was exactly how I remembered and we fell into conversation quickly and easily. We went to the Auckland Sky tower and had coffee whilst looking at the views. Our conversation flitted between laughter and jokes to the kind of conversation I would normally only have once I really know someone. Three hours had passed before we knew it. Military Man asked if he could take me for dinner and I of course agreed. We wandered down by the harbour and found a lovely little restaurant over looking the water. I felt really happy to be with him. The entire time Military Man was a proper gentleman; pulling my chair out, holding open the door and very kindly paying for dinner whilst I was in the bathroom. I felt myself smiling on the inside and out but I was gutted that the day was ending and that Military Man was leaving in the morning to head back to Iraq. He had only been away on 2 weeks leave and still had at least another 6-8 weeks in Iraq before being able to return to the U.S.

We talked for hours after dinner and shared photos and stories of our families and lives back home. It felt really natural and I was having a fantastic time. As were were saying our goodbyes Military Man gave me his compass that he had been wearing on his watch. He told me that it was special to him as it had got him through a lot this past year, but that he wanted me to have it as a reminder of our short but sweet time together. I was very touched and told him so before kissing him and walking away. Then one of those incredible overwhelming moments happened where it seems that nature is connecting with your mood and what is happening to you. It started raining and when I say raining, I mean it poured down. My last memory of that night is us both walking our separate ways, in the rain and turning back round to look at each other every few moments until he faded out of sight.

Friends have asked if things will continue with us now that we are back to our own realities in different countries. There were never any promises (it was only really one date after all!) and we do have completely different lives many miles apart, but it was an amazing day and one that I will never forget. Military Man is always very welcome to visit London and if he does then we shall see what happens but for now he and our time together will remain in my happy memory bank and will serve as a reminder to myself that I can and do still have those feelings that for awhile I thought may never reappear again.