This is Jacque. She’s the best. Jacque has been in and out of my life for about 17 years.
Two years ago, Jacque posted a Facebook status update that changed both our lives. “The travel bug is biting hard.” She probably meant it innocently, but I took it as an invitation and told her we should go on a trip. I didn’t have anyone to travel with at the time, you see, and Jacque and I had always gotten along well. The next morning, we went to brunch and she grilled me – how do I travel, what kinds of things do I do when traveling, what places do I want to go? I guess I passed the test, because we started planning a trip to Eastern Europe shortly thereafter. (Strictly platonically.) Over the course of a few months, we had many so-called “planning sessions” with take-out sushi while watching the sunset from my patio. That patio will always have a special place in my heart: it’s the place we fell in love. By the time the trip rolled around, we were no longer platonic.
Fast-forward a year and a half. I submitted my paperwork to separate from the US Air Force, and Jacque suggested we take a big trip again. Then she dropped a bomb: “how about 4-6 months?” If I were drinking milk, it would have come out my nose. That’s crazy! What about work?! How can we possibly do that?! I was amazed she even suggested such a ridiculous notion.
Fast-forward eight months more. We jumped on a plane bound for Siem Reap, Cambodia, our first destination in a round-the-world journey planned for nearly a year. I’ll spare the details of how I got from nearly choking to happily embracing unemployment, but suffice it to say that this trip is another one of the reasons why Jacque is the best. I’m very lucky to have her in my life full-time these days. In August of 2015, we’ll be tying the knot for a lifetime of loving life and each other.
I’m Paul, the guy lucky enough to spend most of my waking hours with Jacque. I hope you enjoy this little blog we put together for our friends and family.
the magical traveling scarf 