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Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Moving On

Even though all she had done was to be the one to call it off when they both knew it was over already, the ending felt worse.


Yet, she still went to work the next day, trying to pretend like nothing had happened. She somehow got through the school day and got all her students to their buses at 2:10.


She went to her truck, grabbed her beach bag, threw on her bikini, and drove to the most secluded beach in the area.


She sat on her blanket, staring out at the ocean, alternately crying and then feeling strong. The waves crashing and soothing her broken heart. The vastness of the ocean making her realize how small she was in the grand scheme of things and how small her problems were. And then, in the next moment, she would feel alone and hurt.


Even though it was the quietest beach in the area, there were still some people around. Mostly young Marines who would try to come flirt with her. She was her hottest self back then, long blonde hair, perfect figure, tiny bikini.


She shot each one down with a comment ruder than the one she'd used on the last guy.


Until he came along. He had the palest blue eyes she'd ever seen, along with hair so blonde it was almost white. It was obvious from his build that he was a Marine, too. Oh, the muscles on him...


He greeted her with a slow smile and approached as if she would break if he got too close. He said, "You look like you could use someone to talk to."


She angrily retorted that she just wanted to be left alone. But, he just shook his head and said, "I think you need to talk and I have the time to listen. Just take a walk with me, that's all I ask."


And, he extended his hand to help her up and held it out there as she stared at him, internally debating, for a few minutes.


It was his patience that won her over, continuing to hold out his hand and not otherwise pressing her. She still doesn't know why she decided to go with him.


She put her hand in his and they walked along the shore. She poured her heart out to him, crying a little. He listened.


He helped her gather up her things and walked her back to her truck. As she put her hand on the door to go, she caught sight of her naked ring finger and started to tear up again.


He caught her chin in his hand and turned her face to look at him and said, "You'll find someone so much better. Someone who will make this guy seem like the loser he is for letting you go." And then he asked her to meet him again the next night at the beach.


She did meet him the next night, despite some reservations. She went because it felt better than staying home and crying alone. She went because she secretly hoped that X would call while she was gone and her roommate could tell him she was out on a date. She went because she wanted to feel normal again.


He was there waiting for her, with a blanket spread out on the sand and a bottle of wine open. They talked until nightfall.


And then he pulled her to her feet, hummed an unidentifiable tune, and danced with her on the sand, in the moonlight.


And she began to have hope again. That her life wasn't over because her first true love had ended. That there were other men out there, ones who would love her, too.


She never saw him again after that. But, he served his purpose in her life: to give her the strength to move on.


This post was originally published in a slightly different form on 4/7/10. *Waves hi to the 1/4 of my current readers who were with me back then. Love you all*

When that post was published, I was asked why I never saw him again.  You can read that HERE.

*****
If you missed any of the story of my past, where yes, I talk about myself in the third person, you can check out these links to get caught up:

10 Days After the Hurricane
Was It a Big Mistake?
A Romance Grows
And Then He Left Her
She Moves for Him
The Waiting Game
The Engagement
The Year It All Goes Wrong
The Break
The Worst Thing She Ever Did
Limbo
We She Next Sees Him
Calling It Off

Labels:

62 Comments:

Blogger Unknown said...

Angels are everywhere darling, sometimes they show up as people.. You needed him to remind you of what you were worth and that of course was the best, and he as a man and a Marine needed to save you from yourself and someone who was not worth another tear if you could do it. He showed you that life had not broken you but had certainly left a scar. But scars can heal and Gabriel was to start the healing process

January 18, 2011 at 8:02 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

An angel in disguise... just what you needed at that moment.

January 18, 2011 at 8:14 AM  
Blogger Oka said...

God places the answers, and it's great when we notice them.

January 18, 2011 at 8:48 AM  
Blogger Secret Mom Thoughts said...

The right person there at the right time for sure.

January 18, 2011 at 8:50 AM  
Blogger Kmama said...

I love how this has kind of come full circle for me, as I remember this post from before. I'm so glad it's all come together!

January 18, 2011 at 9:01 AM  
Blogger Tiffany said...

At least it didn't end on a sour note, and I do remember this post. I started reading and now it all makes sense. Thank you for sharing this story from your life.
Love you too Shell. Big hugs!

January 18, 2011 at 9:04 AM  
Blogger Erin said...

This is one of my favorite posts of yours!!! Love you too!

January 18, 2011 at 9:04 AM  
Blogger Natalie said...

Many people come in our lives just to serve a single purpose. He obviously did his.. to make you feel hope & open to the possibility.

I met my own version of that Marine also on a beach. Nothing ever came of our short meeting, but it made me realize what I had wasn't enough. And that thought kept me going.

January 18, 2011 at 9:06 AM  
Anonymous Kristin said...

I just can't get enough of reading these posts!

January 18, 2011 at 9:06 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Did you end up with X?

So fitting that his name is Gabriel!

January 18, 2011 at 9:07 AM  
Blogger Emmy said...

What a true gentleman!! So glad you are continuing this. Love reading it

January 18, 2011 at 9:20 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

You never saw this guy again?! Seriously?! Ugh ...

P.S. You're killing me with these little snippets ... :)

January 18, 2011 at 9:25 AM  
Blogger Joann Mannix said...

OMG! I'm swooning at this bit of the story, so. utterly. romantic. How sweet and lovely. He was there, you know, placed there for that exact reason, to show you the light. Really, really great.

January 18, 2011 at 9:36 AM  
Blogger Stephanie said...

Sigh...there are some good men out there:)

January 18, 2011 at 9:36 AM  
Blogger Erin said...

Awesome. I believe my hubby was an angel to save me from the situation I was in.

January 18, 2011 at 9:50 AM  
Blogger Mandi Miller said...

You just keep me hanging on the edge of my seat! You should write a book!

January 18, 2011 at 10:12 AM  
Blogger KLZ said...

His patience gives me calm this morning. I needed that.

January 18, 2011 at 10:15 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I really do love this post.

January 18, 2011 at 10:26 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

I remember when you first posted this. How different it is to re-read it, now knowing the rest of the story.

January 18, 2011 at 10:46 AM  
Blogger mypixieblog said...

I remember this story, Shell, and love it as much now as I did then. Makes me think of all the people who've appeared, disappeared, sometimes reappeared in my life over the years and sheds light on the everything-happens-for-a-reason argument.

I'm glad he came to you when he did. Sometimes we just need a reminder that love will happen again and that it's important to remain patient.

January 18, 2011 at 11:05 AM  
Blogger Stasha said...

I remember this part of the story...

He came into your life for a reason. To show you that you would be able to love again.

God works in mysterious ways.

January 18, 2011 at 11:09 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm hooked! I keep waiting for the next part of the story!

:)

January 18, 2011 at 11:13 AM  
Blogger Sara said...

I loved this part of your story back then, and I love it more now. Yay for the sweetest "rebound" guy, EVER.

January 18, 2011 at 11:25 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Great story ... makes me think of Camp Pendalton? I probably didn't spell that right but when I was younger, like WAAAYYYY younger, I used to hang there ... sort of a Navy Brat on a marine base HooYA baby ;-)

January 18, 2011 at 11:35 AM  
Blogger Andrea said...

How dreamy. ;) I did read the other posts and think that he really did come into your life just to remind you things would be better than OK. And yeah, I hate that you were a teeny tiny bikini-clad hottie. As I am way jealous ... But I would have likely loved ya anyway!

January 18, 2011 at 11:37 AM  
Blogger Natalie said...

Now I'm scrambling to go read the old ones I missed!

January 18, 2011 at 11:46 AM  
Blogger Melinda said...

An angel disguised as a cute Marine ... our God works in mysterious ways. :)

January 18, 2011 at 11:49 AM  
Blogger Joey Lynn Resciniti said...

Where is that hot guy when I need some confidence???

January 18, 2011 at 12:18 PM  
Blogger Liz said...

Whoa! So this magical mystery man is NOT your husband???

Just a kind soul who was at the right place, at the right time?

This story is unbelievable! :)

January 18, 2011 at 12:20 PM  
Blogger Evonne said...

I love how the waves seemed to move with your emotions.

To every thing there is a purpose

(now I'm singing!)

January 18, 2011 at 1:12 PM  
Blogger Macey said...

This sounds like a movie... : )

January 18, 2011 at 1:23 PM  
Blogger Jenny said...

I remember that post, I think that is when I started reading your blog.
It is amazing the people that come into our lives, even if it is only for a moment. Sometimes they change us forever.
Wonderful story!

January 18, 2011 at 1:26 PM  
Blogger Bibi @ Bibi's Culinary Journey said...

OMG, never? Really?

I am still hoping he will make another appearance.

January 18, 2011 at 1:26 PM  
Blogger kc said...

Shell, I think this is my favorite post in this part of your life. I really do love how you write and pull a person into the emotions of it all!!!

January 18, 2011 at 1:29 PM  
Anonymous Craig said...

That’s the way of heartache isn’t it, “alternately crying and then feeling strong”?

And the ocean one minute giving you peace and the next making you feel forever alone in the universe.

And the mysterious angel – wow. Spellbinding Shell – just spellbinding.

God Bless and keep you and all of yours

January 18, 2011 at 1:32 PM  
Blogger Jessica said...

You never know what kind of impact one small kind deed can do for someone. Thanks for including a link to your follow up post.

January 18, 2011 at 1:58 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Reading this, I was sure the man became your husband. How wrong I was. Off to check out why you never saw him again.

January 18, 2011 at 2:17 PM  
Blogger Diane said...

I've really enjoyed reading this story.
Have you ever thought of writing a book? ;)

January 18, 2011 at 2:19 PM  
Blogger Kir said...

now let me get this straight?
You got a first love, you had the body of a model, you got a MARINE, named after an Angel to dance with you on the beach and you found Hubs(later) too????
Seriously girlfriend you make all of us look like a B rate movie.

I loved the ending to this..will you continue???
*smooch*

January 18, 2011 at 2:32 PM  
Blogger Tina L. Hook said...

*Sigh* How incredibly romantic.

January 18, 2011 at 3:14 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Great story and I agree with FG-incredibly romantic!

January 18, 2011 at 3:16 PM  
Blogger Tylaine said...

Shell that was an amazing love story and it may not have been evident to you then but hopefully it is now that it was meant to work out the way it did. God has a plan for all of us and sometimes getting there isn't always fun but that's how we learn. Seems to me that Gabriel was sent to you to help get you through this time in your life. You are a great writer and have a special talent.

January 18, 2011 at 3:29 PM  
Anonymous Theta Mom said...

How romantic!! This is a book in the making girl!

January 18, 2011 at 4:39 PM  
Blogger Di said...

Oh I love this series and I so need to catch up on it. I always went to the beach after a break up too. It was so soothing!

January 18, 2011 at 4:42 PM  
Blogger Lourie said...

I need to START reading this series. Sheesh! I have read a couple and they are also brilliant!

January 18, 2011 at 5:02 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

I sooo thought that was going to be DH! LOL Man! These cliff hangers are killing me. What does it feel like to live a real life Nicolas Sparks novel?? Maybe he was an angel?

January 18, 2011 at 5:23 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

So beautiful! I'm gonna have to read the entire story behind it now.

January 18, 2011 at 5:33 PM  
Blogger TheBabyMammaChronicles said...

Yay! It's getting happier and the healing begings. Isn't it amazing how God (or whatever you believe in :) always puts what we really need in front of us in the most desperate of times.

January 18, 2011 at 6:08 PM  
Blogger HopefulLeigh said...

This is such a lovely story and beautifully written, Shell.

January 18, 2011 at 7:04 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

How did God know you needed angel that loved to dance on the beach?

January 18, 2011 at 7:07 PM  
Blogger natalee said...

oh please tell me that his real name wasn't gabriel ( i read the older post)... because i was just saying..this guy was heaven sent....then..(because im nuts../0 i started saying outloud.."the angel gabriel appeared to shell".. my husband said ..what??


ok more more

January 18, 2011 at 7:08 PM  
Blogger Rhiannon said...

oh its just like out of a fairytale, but some angels come to us iin many different forms!
gave you a blog award come check it out!

January 18, 2011 at 7:46 PM  
Blogger Liz Mays said...

And the best was yet to come!

January 18, 2011 at 8:57 PM  
Blogger Venassa said...

I was one of the bunch that read that one before! I love it just as much as I did then.

January 18, 2011 at 9:25 PM  
Blogger Lisa said...

Love this part of the story!

Love how God works in our lives also.

January 18, 2011 at 10:21 PM  
Blogger Kim said...

I remember this story (part of it) from back then. Now I know the history behind the years he helped wipe away. I love following along with these. Every week I get excited to see them. :)

January 18, 2011 at 10:54 PM  
Blogger Rebecca said...

I remember this part...so awesome.

All it takes is one and he did his job!

January 19, 2011 at 7:34 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Funny how some people come into your life at just the right moment. Way to stay strong woman!

January 19, 2011 at 7:36 AM  
Anonymous Making It Work Mom said...

I love how he didn't end up being your rebound guy. I was fearful. He will forever be the perfect guy for the perfect time.
*sigh* love it

January 19, 2011 at 10:32 PM  
Blogger shortmama said...

Wow people truly come into our lives at the perfect time

January 20, 2011 at 6:30 PM  
Blogger Lisa @ Crazy Adventures in Parenting said...

Love our men in uniform (my husband is a delicious Army man). They really can be SO romantic!

Love this!

January 24, 2011 at 1:54 PM  
Blogger christina said...

what an absolutely incredible story.

July 27, 2011 at 8:59 AM  

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