A Story About Coming Home

At times, the most important conversations are the ones we delay for too long. The wonderful aspect is when they finally occur naturally.

As parents, we aim for perfection. We try to do our best. We screw up, make mistakes, and hope they understand. They don't, and that's ok. It takes time to heal. Build the trust and remove the resentment. It's not easy.

Life can be stormy at times.

Setting the Scene

Erin had traveled to Charleston to say goodbye to our beloved dog, Brody. It was her first time visiting since we had moved the previous October. She managed to arrive just in the knick of time, and we put him down shortly after picking her up from the airport.

I never expected this sad time to become a life-changing moment for me and Erin.

The Words That Needed to Be Said

Two days after Brody's passing, Erin and I randomly decided to head into Downtown Charleston. Despite a massive rainstorm, we sat at the outdoor bar and ordered a drink. We felt good and seemed at peace.

We were both calm, talking and laughing at the hurricane swirling around us. .I took a deep breath, aware of the significance of this moment, and like magic, we began to talk. It was organic, open, honest, and real. Our past collided with the present.

Bridging the Gap of Understanding

At that moment, I opened up about my insecurities that were constantly gnawing at me. I wondered if Erin was open to a relationship or if her boyfriend, Corbin, who had seen me at my worst, could forgive me. I admitted that I often felt lost in trying to guide her and lacked the tools to handle situations. Despite being the adult, I was emotionally immature.

I needed to understand myself better to understand Erin. Now, I do. I explained that I worry about my Parkinson's and feeling that overwhelming anxiety about not wasting any more time.

Erin and I are opposites. I am sensitive; she steers away from the emotion. I dwell on things; she does not. She dislikes communication, while I overdo it. I'm emotional and volatile, whereas Erin can walk away, which triggers me. Ultimately, I let emotions build up and then release them, which exhausts Lee, Erin, and myself. I recognize this now.

Erin was very open and honest, and I left feeling as if a weight had been lifted off my chest. All I desire is a respectful, open, and fun relationship. Recognizing our flaws and mistakes was crucial for our growth. I now understand that by confronting these uncomfortable truths, we have strengthened our bond.

Love this girl!

Moving Forward Together

It only required a few cocktails and a roaring rainstorm at a random bar in Charleston, SC, our new home, to move past the resentment, pain, and heartache.