This was originally posted by brewmax on the community forum.

How we met:

It was a day like any other day. Nothing special, really.

I was comfortably going about my usual business. Got up at 6 a.m., had coffee. Watched GMA with cup in hand while petting my little rescue pup. Took a shower, blew dry my hair and picked a pretty pink polish for my toes.

Made a big batch of homemade dog food according to the recipe in the new holistic, natural dog care book a friend had recently recommended. Turned the sprinklers on the flower beds, pinched back a few errant buds, and yanked out a couple weeds.

Paid a couple of bills, answered a cellphone call from gal pals in PA who always call at 8 a.m. on their way to school where they teach, and had another cup of joe. Cleaned up a bit more from our dinner party the night before, checked my emails, called to confirm Saturday's tee time.

Dressed for work, packed a lunch, let the dogs in, kissed 'em goodbye and headed out the door thinking that I needed to stop at the grocery store on the way home. Wondered what my partner might like for dinner that night. Called to get some ideas.

Nothing unusual happened at work. . . easy day, a few laughs with the boss, productive all-in-all, and time passed quickly. On the way home from the grocery store, thoughts moved to the Olivia cruise we'd just signed up to take in the middle of winter. Mmmmm, warm Caribbean sun in January - what a wonderful thought!

Wondered if anyone had answered the question I'd posted, rather tentatively, on the Olivia Forum website. Never having taken an Olivia cruise, I had a number of questions so ventured a guess that a more seasoned Olivia veteran, or employee, might be willing to provide some advice. Didn't know though. . . site seemed a bit sterile when I'd looked through it before posting.

Got home, greeted with wagging tails and sloppy kisses. Took the dogs out back and gave my gal a peck hello on the cheek, proudly announcing what we were having for dinner. Asked for a minute to unwind, went to my computer.

There I found not only a warm and welcoming response to my question but a personal email as well from a veteran Olivia traveler, offering an answer and advice, with a twist of humor, too.

Our relationship has grown as we've traded all sorts of emails and postings and photos in the months that have passed since that first "hello".

I've learned so much about her through our musings. She makes me chuckle and smile, and even laugh out loud. I've grown to care for her, and I miss her when she has not posted or emailed for a few days. I value her advice. I admire much about her. She is important to me now. My partner likes her, too.

I love to hear from her and can hardly wait to see her. She's livened up the Forum and she's added a new dimension to my already full life.
I'm booked on another Olivia cruise now and hope to see her there.

Do you know her? I think you might! :)

This was originally posted by bb bastian on the community forum.

Nice to hear from you forum gals! Thanks so much for your comments. I love sharing our love stories and ain't romance fine! We are creating a real community here that extends beyond our all-too-brief vacation adventures together. I forgot to mention that the phone line we met on was not local to our town so it was pretty magical that we found we lived so close to each other. Yes, J&K, we did chat before the Mexican cruise and we, like you, were immediately absorbed into the moment and went with the flow -that's exactly what we were supposed to do! Since you are nearly "neighbors," we're sorry we missed that opportunity, but shall enjoy this connection. The posts are an awesome way for us to continue on as community and dream of our next Olivia vacation, eh? We were very lucky to go on two O cruises last year and can't wait for our next one. In the meantime, looking forward to staying in touch. My best wishes to all you romantic women - it's so great to hear everyone's love expressed in so many ways.

This was originally posted by Bev and Susan on the community forum.

Great story! Thanks for sharing!

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

Wonderful story! I wish we could have gotten together during the Mexican cruise. Best intentions and all... We were just so overwhelmed on that trip with so much going on. I agree about those beaches!!! The waves, the tide pools, the kissing. Hey, this sounds familiar!

This was originally posted by brewmax on the community forum.

You are very fortunate indeed and that was a great story! I love how so many of us had great intentions to "take it slow" and then found things moved more quickly! Love can be slow like a non-stop freight train, right? LOL! Gotta watch out for those late night walks on the beach under starry skies!

Congratulations on the 10th anniversary!

This was originally posted by bb bastian on the community forum.

Ready for another love story, gals? At the end of a wonderful 13-year relationship that had run full course and paths lovingly diverged, it seemed impossible to consider starting again. I dated here and there and got myself involved quickly a number of times, even having another live-in 3-year relationship that was doomed from the start. I took a big break. Then, I tried a phone dating service that used personal recording mailboxes so you could remain anonymous. After a few weeks, I got a message from a woman and soon we were talking on the phone and discovered we lived only 10 blocks from each other! We tried to get together but since my new hottie is a firefighter and was sent out to fight wildfires, we had to wait. When I finally went over to her house to pick her up for our first date, I thought I’d fall down – she was just amazing. I learned she was 10 years younger than me, one year out of a 13-year marriage to a man and seeking her first real relationship with a woman. OK, that scared me but not enough to stop. She was very clear that we would take our time and “nothing would happen for about a year.” We dated, I was smitten and even though I am accustomed to taking the lead, I turned that over to her so I could be sure that she could come to me in her own way and time. After about six weeks of this, we went to a wonderful Monterey Women’s Weekend dance and danced the night away – fantastic! Afterwards, she wanted to take a walk on the beach so we strolled, watching the waves fall onto the shore. The next thing I knew, I was down on the sand and getting sweet kisses! So much for a year! We did take our time, dated for a year before we moved in together; then a year later, bought our beautiful home together. We have been domestic partners for a long time, got married in San Francisco 2 years ago and will be celebrating our 10th anniversary this year. We feel fortunate that our families and work places are accepting of us and that we are able to live our lives openly. How lucky am I?

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

You are going to have an amazing time. Just walking into the restaurant for the first time, looking around and every face is familiar and overjoyed. It is truly a life changing experience!

This was originally posted by Akmedic on the community forum.

Well we are both all to common with the distance of being around "family". I can't wait for this cruise, i will be in lesbian over load~ :)

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

Your gay bar is closer than ours... two and a half hour commute to the closest gay bar, Santa Barbara, Monterey and Bakersfield are all about the same distance in different directions!

This was originally posted by Akmedic on the community forum.

I got you beat. We live in a town of about 5,000, and of that, not a large gay community at all. However, fate did play a role with us. When we bought our house, our next door neighbors just happen to be a lesbian couple. We are all wonderful friends now and between the two houses we have frequent dinners and get togethers with familly. Its such a wonderful blessing to have them.

There is ONE, count it ONE gay bar that is in Anchorage. Which is an hour away from where we are! In our town and all the surrounding towns. NONE!!!

Good thing my partner and I don't like to go out very much. Its like a twice a year event!

I am excited about the people I have met already in the forum, and can't wait for the carribean cruise 2007! I am so already there in spirit! Just have to wait to let my body catch up!

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

Akmedic, oh boy do we understand! Even though we are in Ca. We are 300 miles from anywhere. We live outside a town of 20,000 people mostly farmers, ranchers and rednecks! We are the only lesbians we know! I know there is a comunity in SLO but they are an hour south, with a mountain inbetween and are mostly collage students anyway.

Olivia has been a wonderful place to meet and share. We have made such terrific friends both on the forum and on the 2 cruises we have been on. Welcome!!

This was originally posted by Akmedic on the community forum.

jocindy~

I know what you mean. Living in Alaska, its not the most "out" state. With all the mountain woman and men I think we are a little behind the band wagon on that one!
Besides our group of close friends, this has been a wonderful leaning expiernce and place for me.
Thanks and love to all!

This was originally posted by JoCindy on the community forum.

Akmedic,
The Olivia forum and this forum is just wonderful for so many reasons. Cindy & I live in an area where there are not many of our community. This forum and our Olivia trips help us to stay connected.
Jo

This was originally posted by Akmedic on the community forum.

Jo Cindy~

THanks so much for the warm welcome. I have found this place to be so nice and inviting. Oh course whatelse would I expect from a lesbian cruise forum!!! HA

I am so excited for the cruise in January. I have never been, but I think this will be the first of a yearly expierence. With our "wedding" this summer, this will be such a nice honeymoon!

I have loved these stories so much. I come from such a small alaskan town, its nice to hear about what other people have expierenced.

I hope to be able to meet up with some of you for lunch befor the cruise in Ft lauderdale, that would just be so much fun!!

Thanks again!
Amie

This was originally posted by Bev and Susan on the community forum.

evergreen,

How can we EVER refer to you as everygreen or Julie, with such a great nickname as Juicey Lucy! All the stories on this thread are wonderful, but, without a doubt, yours is tied for first in my book along with Brewmax's. Bev and I had the pleasure to see Brewmax tell the story in person. It was priceless!!