Mark and I actually met on an online chat program called iSpQ (I Speak). It is very ironic that we met this way because, though I chatted online often, I always refused to pay for a program when there are so many free chat programs out there (Yahoo being just one of many). However, for some reason that I'm still unable to explain, I broke from this policy and paid for a subscription to iSpQ in October 2005. If I had not done this, I would never have met Mark in January 2006. I had seen Mark's profile on iSpQ several times, but he was never online when I was. Even from the anonymity of his profile, I was very attracted to him. He has told me that he had seen my profile as well, but never bothered to message me because he believed that I wouldn't have anything to do with him. Regardless, one day I found him online at the same time that I was online and decided to say hello to him. The match was almost instantaneous. We spoke for most of that afternoon and then well into the evening. We spoke almost as if we were long lost buddies and had merely reconnected after a few years, even though we had never spoken to one another before. After that first encounter, we spoke online every day for several weeks. We eagerly looked forward to our chats together. In a very short time, we realized that there was something between us that was more than just buddies. There was an inner connection, a spiritual relationship that was much deeper. When we finally met in person, the spark was intense.
There are people in the world who believe in the idea of soul mates, people who are intended to accompany one another through each incarnation of the individual souls. You must have a prerequisite belief in reincarnation, and I'm not sure how much of this I believe, but I certainly understand what they are talking about. The connection between Mark and I was more than just what would have been apparent in our fledgling friendship and subsequent relationship. It was something older and more established than our mere earthly ages would have been able to sustain. Love at first sight, soul mates, it doesn't matter what you call it. It is difficult to explain this especially if one has never experienced it before. I certainly never had. Before meeting Mark, I would have simply dismissed the idea as an excuse for rushing into things. One thing is for sure, I am in love with Mark in ways that I have never loved anyone before in my life. Where I got this ability to love, or what I did to deserve the reciprocation, I cannot explain. However, for the first time in my life, I feel complete. For that, I thank God every day.
Mark is a native of Tampa, Florida and is a graduate of the University of Florida. He is an engineer and works for a major southeastern corporation in Birmingham. The fourth of five children (and the youngest son) of his parents, he is a Virgo and his personality proves it! He is the father of three lovely children, one daughter and two sons. |
