This was originally posted by brewmax on the community forum.

Jeanne, you are such a tease! :)

This was originally posted by Mary C on the community forum.

I can't wait for your story -- some of my
best friends are religious sisters (or ex-nuns)..
Hurry up and read the rest!!!!

This was originally posted by pgh jean on the community forum.

I'm only on page two of this thread-- need to catch up on reading-- then I'LL TELL OUR STORY--here's a hint--- Colleen was a nun.. psyche!! J

This was originally posted by marla on the community forum.

Considering all of that, don't blame you a bit!

I'm sorry that I won't meet you next year, though!

This was originally posted by brewmax on the community forum.

No, you haven't asked, but I really have no desire to go on that particular cruise at this time. My ex-husband proposed to me in Holland and I spent a great deal of time there and in neighboring areas/countries years ago. I'm sure it will be lovely for those who go, but tulips remind me a bit of a former life that, while not a bad time at all, is one I don't care to recall vividly! LOL!

There's always other Olivia meet-ups though! :)

This was originally posted by marla on the community forum.

....or have I already asked?

This was originally posted by marla on the community forum.

Flowers have spoken to me more than I can tell in written words. They are the hieroglyphics of angels. . . ~ Lydia M. Child

Brewmax - sounds as though you might be a candidate for the tulip cruise next April....have you given that any thought? I would love to meet you!

This was originally posted by brewmax on the community forum.

Small fry and Mary C, thanks for sharing your stories. What is more wonderful to read than love stories?

This was originally posted by Mary C on the community forum.

Hadn't been reading this thread because my partner wasn't on the cruise with me -- but these stories are so heart warming, I just have to add ours...

I was several years out of a 7 year relationship and began visiting a college friend in Pa. SHE had a friend in NJ who was single -- so I go to know her (her name was Kay)...and Kay and I visited and were "getting to know each other" on a long distance basis. One evening Kay and I decided to have dinner with another couple -- Mary (who ended up being the long time love of my life) and (this is terrible -- I can't even remember who she was with). That night over dinner we had an amazing time -- Mary and I clicked from first sight -- so we were joking, laughing and flirting...we left, however without thinking anything would happen -- except I had her name/phone number and address. So -- I did what I do best (this was before email, folks) -- write! We wrote to each other back and forth for probably 3 years -- and I kept asking her to come visit me. She always had a reason not to (now she admits she was attracted, but scared).
FINALLY she accepted an invite (on her way back from visiting folks in Ohio)...she spent 2 days with me and we had a marvelous time -- first kiss and all the attendant angst (should I, shouldn't I)...I was 32 and she was 28 -- each had had one relationship and a few flings. The horrible part was -- after this great weekend (ended by a long making out session on a leather couch (we could both make a full story out of that one -- it was at someone else's house!!!)
the reality hit me -- I was on sabbatical the next year and already committed to go for a YEAR to Greensboro, NC. She was working in NJ -- here we had just begun the GREATEST thing -- only to be separated for a year!!
She told me to go -- to meet "wonderful women" and see how I felt then...I was sad to go -- but I went -- did meet a few women..but NONE like my Mary. She visited me in February and I got to see her one other time (Briefly) during the year. When I returned north..we began dating seriously and finally made the commitment to each other that year -- we lived apart for 2 years (both had jobs in different places) and then moved together (she moved in with me) in 1980-- and we've been together ever since...
She was very shy and reserved..I am outgoing and almost "scared her away"..but we thank our lucky stars every day that we are together..we have grown up together and love every minute of it.
I'm so thankful for her!

This was originally posted by small fry on the community forum.

Here is our story:

I was 37 and my life was headed in no real direction. I would go on the internet and sit in chat rooms and not say a word. Mothers day 2001 I was online and someone asked if anyone had been or lived in Cleveland, I responded that I live in Cleveland. So I started chatting with this woman and found out she was a traveling nurse finishing up her contract in Miami. She would be heading back home to WV before she started her new contract in NJ. She asked for my phone number to call and talk on the phone and I was like well I'm not sure, but something inside said go ahead and give it to her. I was sure how to tell her I was living with my parents due to private reasons. But anyway she had called a few minutes after I gave her my number and we talked for a few hours. She had only a week off before she had to be in NJ, but wanted to know if we could meet before she left for NJ. I agreed and we meet at a hotel about 5 miles form where I lived. We spent the weekend together and she asked if I would come up to NJ to visit her. I had a week of vacation coming up, so I said I would drive up and see her. The week I spent with her was one of the best I have ever had. I cried that day I had to leave. I knew in my heart that she was the one I wanted to be with, but she was not sure. I would fly to visit her through out her contract there in NJ where on my last visit there before I left she finally told me that she loved me. So here I am sitting in the airport alone trying to take this all in. She had left NJ the weekend before the Sept 11 attacks on NYC. As we all know how frightened and saddened we were that day wanting to find and be with our loved ones, we were apart. She was back In WV and I was here in Ohio. We tried contacting each other, but couldnt get through on cellphones. Finally when I heard her voice I cried. I believe we both knew then we needed to be together for the rest of our lives.

Sheila would eventually do 3 more contracts, Cleveland, Columbus and the final was in Calf. We will be celebrating or 5 years together this year and purchased our house together last June. We have yet been on an Olivia vacation, but are very seriously thinking about the cruise next year. Thanks for reading our story and maybe someday we will get to meet some of you. Thanks for welcoming us

Traci and Sheila

This was originally posted by Janice & Kathy on the community forum.

yeah, I've been called easy before...hey, wait a minute, I resemble that remark.

I must say that this thread has taken an interesting turn. I've met so many wonderful women thru this forum and on the cruises, I could go on and on (fortunately I do have to go to work this morning!) How about some of you share your stories with me?

This was originally posted by evergreen on the community forum.

Janice & Kathy. No prizes for guessing that one. It's so easy...............

Great sentimennts, both you & Brewmax..........
Julie

This was originally posted by brewmax on the community forum.

Flowers have spoken to me more than I can tell in written words. They are the hieroglyphics of angels. . . ~ Lydia M. Child

Kathy, the woman of whom I wrote actually has many names; this Forum has been the birthplace of more than one new friendship now very special to me (Evergreen's, confirmed, among them!).

You should share those orchid photos again before the next cruise goes to Key West - some were just magnificent! Wish I'd seen them in person!

This was originally posted by Janice & Kathy on the community forum.

I think evergreen has answered your riddle adequately.

I must add that I have a very similar story. We were booked on that same cruise and I posted my first post asking a question about an orchid excursion I had read about. I also got a wonderful response and personal email from another warm and loving woman.

I did have the honor of meeting her and her lovely partner on that cruise and we have become fast friends. I know that I have not been as active on the forum lately due to our usual hectic spring but I still check every night to see what gem she has added to the "favorite quotes" tread or some little quip here or there.

Now your turn to guess!

This was originally posted by evergreen on the community forum.

Wow, your day sounded great. Much better than than the days I had in the latter part of my career!!!

Some confusion re the wagging tails & sloppy kisses. Assume the tails were the dogs, but, the sloppy kisses????