Birthday Wishes

I know I share this day with everyone on the planet. But, I've shamelessly claimed it. Like, I want to rock this day in my arms and sing it a lullaby. It's special. It's January 21^st.

It's my birthday!

I've celebrated this day for 29 years now. 29 years! Dang. Now, that's something to celebrate :-) The final year of my twenties. Ready or not!

What's a person to do on the morning of her 29^th birthday? Well, when you've got a whopper of a cold, can't breathe out your nose, and sneeze approximately every 2 minutes and 47 seconds you do the only things you can think of to make you feel better.

Make a wish (or 3). Blow out 29 birthday candles. Eat the purple frosted, funfetti cupcake.

Yes, this is the way to do it – I'm starting my 29^th year with dessert first!  And, may all your wishes come true :-)

Thousands of Mornings

Her heart pulsed behind a towering castle wall. Confined on the shore beyond walls of stone, a queen waited, unsure but hopeful that she would one day meet her king.

He stood tall in his ship as it glided through the expansive waters, bringing him nearer. When he dismounted to the solidness of the earth, she watched him draw his sword. Slowly, diligently, he began sawing at the chains, link by link, of the towering door that separated them. The wooden hinges creaked as the door loosened from it's cold, stone frame.

When the chains lay discarded and useless on the ground, the door crashed open and light poured in. The mist from the foaming sea salted the air inside the castle walls. The queen observed him carefully. He stood proud. Strong. Mighty. Certain. He knew, without a shred of doubt that inside those walls was his treasure. He stepped within, to claim what would soon be his.

He stood at a close distance at first. Behind his creamy, opaque eyes, she could feel the heat of fire inside. He spoke of how God had guided him to her and that he didn't know how but he would make her his. Someway, somehow - this was his mission.

Each day he returned, and each day she allowed him nearer. He calmed the fear in her heart and quieted the turbulence in her mind. He soothed her soul with his love, his devotion, his loyalty, his wisdom. His words rang true again and again. “How does he know?” she wondered. “How does he see my soul? How does he read my heart?” He ignited excitement and joy in a vision of a future they would share. He opened his arms, and she surrendered. Their bodies molded, their hearts entwined, their spirits lifted.

He was the one she had called forth. She was the one he had been seeking.

And the walls came crumbling down until all that was left between them was the wind. A rustling wind that whirled and swirled and, once in a while, took their breath away. The rhythm of life, of love, pulsed like a steady, beating drum. Within him, his fire roared. Within her, she yearned for more.

"I want to love you for thousands of mornings," he would whisper to her. And, he promised to give her everything her heart desired.

And she smiled, for she knew her king had come.

Then one day, as they lay in each other's arms, the wind grew stronger, the sky darkened, and lightening struck. Thunder rumbled and the wind whipped with a vengeance they had never before seen. They cried out as she watched the churning waters, and he listened to the ocean rage.

The castle walls came up and the chains relinked. The heart of the queen sought shelter in the storm that she prayed would soon pass.

Yet, unbeknownst to her, a sharp bolt of lightening had pierced her king. A jagged strike straight to his heart. His heart had been left open, unguarded, while he wooed and sought his treasured queen. He remembered feeling this severity of pain only once before. Though the deep gash from long ago had healed, it burst open in an instant. One bolt splicing his heart open wide. She looked on in shock, watching him bleed.

He stumbled back, retreating from her towards the sea, and heaved himself onto his ship that lay rocking in the waves that tumbled towards shore. As he clutched his heart and tried to steady his ragged breath, she reached for him beyond her castle walls and took his hand. She felt wary of the calm that came with the aftermath of the storm's obvious destruction.

"I'm so sorry," she whisper with tears streaming down her face.

"Me too," he replied.

For, in the purity of their love, they had freely given one another a piece of their own protected heart. Hers, kept safe and guarded behind the walls of a castle and his contained within the wooden beams of a sturdy ship. But, in their love, they had chosen to open their hearts completely, knowing full well the risk they were taking. With hearts fully exposed, the storm had ravaged and wounded them both. Though, even in the pain, they knew the risk had been worth it. They had gambled for deep love, even without the certainty of winning.

With love freely shared, they realized in astonishment that a piece of their heart had been given to the other. With a parting promise, they vowed to keep their portion of the other safe and to cherish and protect that special piece which they now held within themselves.

Clasping hands, they prayed. And, they wept. For though the storm had passed, there was no forgiving it's presence and the damage it had done.

“At least, not for now,” he said, his voice wavering.

"This doesn't feel like goodbye," she whispered.

"Maybe then, it's just 'see you later'," he replied.

"Ok,” she sighed, kissing him softly. “Thousands of mornings...later.”

“God bless you,” he said with tears in his eyes.

“Que Dios te bendigo,” she murmured back.

And with those last words, a final blessing, the anchor came up, and she stood, quiet and still, as the mighty ship set sail carrying her king into the setting sun.

Discovering the Hidden

It was dreary on Friday morning. The rain came down steadily, the sky a dull gray and the mountains clouded in a foggy mist. I had finished my breakfast and was relishing in the knowledge that I was pretty well disconnected from the world. No internet. No cell phone service. An old school landline connected to a cordless phone was my only lifeline, shall we say. In case of emergencies only.

It was so quiet. Only the gentle pitter patter of rain on the roof and the quiet whir of the dehumidifier left running by the retired couple whose house I was staying in for the next several days. Good family friends of my parents, I had stayed in their home in October of 2013 when I completed my yoga teacher training at an ashram only 20 minutes away. Currently, they were off traveling and had graciously opened up their home to me and, in exchange, I would water their plants and feed their friendly black and white cat, Sam. I had come back to the mountains, just north of Boulder, a year and a half later for some solitude and rest. A personal retreat of sorts to relax and restore my body, mind, and soul. It almost seemed as if the Universe had sent the mist to wrap me up in a cozy embrace while also serving as my invisibility cloak to hide me temporarily from the outside world.

With intentions to visit the ashram that morning and take a yoga class, I drove down the potholed dirt road until I reached Highway 72. Convinced I had the simple route to the ashram memorized after having driven it every morning and every night for the 21 days of my yoga training, I didn't bother powering up my GPS. I turned right.

It didn't take more than fifteen minutes to realize my mistake. Along with that realization came the sinking knowledge that I would not be making it to 10:00AM yoga on time. So instead, I just kept on driving. Surely there must have been a reason I found myself cruising through a valley on the opposite side of the mountain.

Initially hoping that the curvy mountain road would loop around and bring me back towards home (despite an extended detour), I soon began to worry that it was much more likely that I was just simply driving farther and farther away. So, I turned 'round and started back the way I had come.

Within minutes, I passed a dark brown blob on my right, hardly noticeable through my rain streaked passenger side window. I slowed and rolled down my window. A moose. Elegant, powerful, and uninterested, I watched the moose munch away on a roadside bush, it's brownish black fur dark and wet, as though it had idly smeared greasy pomade over it's entire body before heading out for work in it's natural, woodsy office.

I smiled and lifted my gaze to the overcast sky. So, this was the purpose behind my unexpected detour. High-five, God. Well played.

Before my moose sighting, I had passed through the unassuming town of Ward. A small community tucked in the mountains, a quick blink and I might have easily missed it. But, as I retraced my route, driving back through the village, I looked a bit more closely.

The town seemed disheveled and almost forgotten – a haphazard giant's playground with a child's discarded toys left to rust and rot in the muddied earth. There were banged up trucks and numerous junked automobiles parked on the side of the road, their wheels sinking slowly into the softened ground. Well intentioned owners surely meaning to fix them up “some day” but now instead, they sat as permanent fixtures in the town's landscape. I noticed a bent and scraped sign pointing to the library and post office. Paint peeled off the sides of the houses and a few windows were cracked or some smashed straight through entirely. Had it not been for the “OPEN” sign on the village's general store window and tendrils of gray smoke coming up through a few roof tops, I would have assumed the whole town asleep or uninhibited. Or abducted, as one particularly humorous road sign seemed to indicate.

The bell tinkled as I entered the store. “No Photo's Please” a door sign stated upon entry. I was greeted warmly by the older gentleman vacuuming the floor who, at the same time, furrowed his brow at the sight of my camera. I introduced myself and smiled, assuring him that I would respect his sign and take no pictures. He seemed to relax then and his tone reflected his appreciation. His eyes crinkled at the corners, his skin tough and leathered from the elements. There was dirt under his tidily trimmed fingernails and his hair held hints of silver. His name was Frank.

Curious about this village, I started asking questions. This little town of Ward had only about 150 inhabitants today. “Used to be over 3,000 in the 1930's,” he told me, before the gold ran out. “Normally, the town is bustling with cyclists, especially on the weekends. There's usually at least ten bikes parked outside the store with over 100 coming through on Saturdays and Sundays. Tourists visit a lot too. My wife Mindy and I, we've owned this store for eleven years. She make's felt hats. She's sold over 1,000 since I've known her.” He brought me then, to the back of the small shop where there were several of her felt creations on display– hats, purses, scarves. Beautiful works of art, the colorful fiber had been pounded flat and expertly shaped.

“Do you have a business card?” I asked. Frank handed me one. “We don't have a phone number. No email either,” he stated matter-of-factly, but with a hint of pride. “We don't like the internet or cell phones. It's especially nice when the electricity goes out at home. It's so peaceful and quiet. The worst thing about coming to this store is to hear the sound of the refrigerator. I hate it. Believe it or not, only a few people here in town have running water toilets. I think we're up to fifteen total now.”

I was delighted in conversation with Frank. Soon, his wife Mindy arrived wearing one of her original felt hat designs. Frank swelled visibly with love and pride when she entered the store. They had been married for 20 years, she said. “Picked him up hitch hiking down the mountain one day,” she grinned. “But, it wasn't until a couple years later that we reconnected and got together. He showed up with a pile of laundry at my house one day and just never left!”

They both chuckled, and I felt warmed by their tenderness towards each other and comfortable ease at which she teased him. Frank suggested I visit the library before I leave. An interesting place, he said, that most people don't really know about as it's hidden in the back room of the old school house turned post office. It's always open. “And, just across the street there,” he gestured at an old blue and rusted truck next to a heaping junk pile with an artistic flair, “is one of the most photographed places on earth. And old hippy used to run his art studio out of that truck. He and anyone who chose to stop by would sit outside in the backyard on old couches and smoke weed,” he recalled fondly. “The old man died a few years ago. But, no one has ever cleaned up the spot. The whole town loved him. You know, some things are just better left unchanged.”

I thanked him and his wife and went on my way, a light, misting rain greeting me as I exited the store. The mound of stuff across the street intrigued me. Metal bed frames, rusted hub caps, mismatched shoes, and several sets of downhill skis were jumbled and tangled and twisted up into an intentional and yet, bizarre pile – creativity gone haywire and influenced by who-knows-what substances. Now it stood, a memorial for a man well-loved by the town of Ward.

I hiked the short distance up the road to the old school house with it's bell still housed in the roof top tower. I wandered to the back of the building and entered a glassed sunroom, light streaking in through the dirtied windows. There were books piled on a chair and on the window sills. I pushed open the next door, and there it was - the Ward Public Library. It was only one room, with a loft that could be reached by climbing the spiraled, hand-carved, dark wood staircase. Footprints and paw-prints marked the dusty floors. Old “Highlights” magazines lay scattered on the ground and piles of books, old records, and curled maps had been stacked on tables, desks, chairs, and bookshelves. The room smelled of must and dust – leather bound books with their yellowed pages strewn about the room in complete disorder. I couldn't be tempted to touch or rearrange a thing. It was perfect.

I had felt as if I had been told a secret. I delighted in this hidden, peaceful place. Yes, a hidden library in a hidden mountain village, who's inhabitants hid quietly inside their homes – private and undisturbed. I tiptoed away, not wishing to unsettle a thing in this mystical and odd little village.

I had thought it was a moose that was the reason for my mis-turn. How wonderful to discover all the other hidden treasures the Colorado mountains had in store for me on that drippy, wet, Friday morning.

Be Fucking Brave

I'll be honest. I'm scared a lot. In my minimal preparation for this road trip west, I noticed often that my mind would be consumed by a whole swarm of fears that, in reality, would most likely never happen. Like, being stranded with a flat tire in the middle of nowhere Nebraska. Possible, but just not likely. This mind madness happens to me all the time. And, if I were to listen to those fears intently, nodding my head in agreement that, yes, I absolutely could get mugged by an unruly band of highway pirates while filling my tank at a lonely gas station, there is no way I would have packed up my car and began the 14+ hour drive west to Colorado. No freaking way. But, thankfully, I've learned how to train my body and my brain to quiet those chilling thoughts, take a deep breath and go, “Hey Fear – you are simply not serving me in this moment. Hush now. Let's be on our way.”

And so, I went.

As one who pretty much despises the idea of paying for a hotel, I had rigged up the passenger side of my little red 1998 VW Beetle into a flat, albeit slightly cramped, sleeping area. Perfect for power naps along the way too, as needed. I stopped at Target to buy a GPS (a MUST for any road tripper) and plugged in Boulder, CO. 14 hours and 38 minutes of drive time until I arrived at my final destination. Another must for road tripping? An audio book. That morning, I had downloaded “The Memory Keeper's Daughter,” a novel I had had on my bookshelf for years but hadn't yet read. Within the first half hour, the story had me hooked, and I barely seemed to notice my surroundings as I rocketed (at a very normal, safe and legal speed...) down the seemingly endless stretch of highway. It was only at sunset, while I was catching up with a friend on the phone, that my eyes took time to drink in the beauty of the Iowa landscape. Rolling green hills, giant wind energy turbines circling steadily clockwise, and the clouds in the sky lighting up like a fiery orange, fluffy flame as though set fire by the receding sun.

I made it all the way to Omaha, NE. My friend hooked me up with her sister last minute, so I actually had a bed to sleep in before I set off again, refreshed, the following morning. I drove a couple hours before stopping at a rest stop to stretch and use the facilities. It was a beautiful morning, still a little cool from the night, but warming up quickly. I pulled my yoga mat from my back seat and found a grassy spot to do a short yoga flow. I had been severely neglecting my yoga practice in the last month, and my muscles felt tight and pinched. Within minutes, I felt better; loose and more open. I still had about seven hours to go; my audio book still had me completely captivated.

I reached Boulder, CO around 6:30PM. Just in time to meet up with a friend for dinner. It had been since November of 2013 when I was last in Boulder, and I found comfort in the hustle and bustle of the Pearl St Mall on this unusually cool Thursday evening. I had arrived. Safe and without incident.

I shudder to think of all the missed experiences I would have if I chose to play captive to my irrational fears. It's not always easy to live courageously, but for me, it's totally worth it. I don't always have my next step planned out. I often live with much of my life and my future unknown. But, I know I am guided in my steps. I trust in the Flow of my life and that I am led to certain places and introduced to certain people for a reason. The power is in the choices that we make each day and the way in which we choose to live our life. And, I choose to live through the fear.

Be fucking brave, my friends. Be fucking brave.

Live the Life

While perusing through an antique and craft shop in Stanley, WI last week (such a GEM of a store!), I came across an old Remington Rand Deluxe Model typewriter. When I saw the price tag ($25.00!!), I hardly hesitated.

“I'm a writer,” I thought. “I need this.”

At the cash register, I struck up a conversation with the women behind the counter. She estimated the typewriter was from the 1920's. It was in great condition. The black and red ribbon was frayed slightly in the middle but still punched thick, bold letters onto the crinkled white piece of paper. Some of the keys stuck. The metal joints and hinges ached for a thorough dusting.

“Ten years ago, you couldn't give a typewriter away!” she exclaimed. “I've thrown hundreds away over the years. This one though, yeah. This one's in good shape.” A Stanley native, Jean worked at the local prison for her “day job” and antiqued on the weekends for the love of it.

“So, you're a writer?” she questioned aloud after asking me what I do. “Boy, if you ever want stories, I gotta lotta stories. Always thought I should write a book about 'em. Gimme a call sometime, honey. Yeah, I got a lotta stories for ya.”

I grinned. This isn't work. This is pure pleasure.

Today, I set out on my road trip west to Colorado. I only saw it fitting to embark on this new adventure with the above quote by the celebrated writer, Henry David Thoreau.

And just look at those keys! Isn't it a beauty?

In Search of Everything Beautiful

You know what's crazy?

What's crazy is when things that are seemingly separate in your life merge together and all of a sudden you have this realization that everything in your life is, in fact, completely and totally connected.

Allow me share a short and serendipitous story with you.

As many of you know, for the past two months, I have played the character "Jo" in "Little Women." (A large reason why my blog went into temporary hibernation.) Jo is a spunky teenager, full of adventure, fiercely independent, and an aspiring writer. During one of the most powerful and emotional scenes in the play, Jo's younger sister Beth says, "I never saw myself as anything much, not a great writer like you." To which Jo responds, "Oh Beth, I am not a great writer..."

"But you will be,” Beth replies.

Rewind to May 5th when my first published story became available in bookstores all over the world. How do I know it's all over the world? Because, this weekend, I received an email from a gentleman in Saudi Arabia.

He wrote:

"Hello Ms. Anna,

I hope you are doing well. I'm not sure whether or not you are the same Anna Lucas who wrote the wonderful story "Just Me," from a recently published book by the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, Time to Thrive. The story, however, touched my heart and soothed my soul in a very positive way...You are a very talented writer and your writing style is beautiful beyond the words can ever describe...You deserve more than to be called a great writer."

My jaw dropped.

You know, sometimes, you have this vision of what you want your life to be. You have hopes and dreams, fears and fidgets – without really knowing why or how to explain them. All I can say is that right now, I am on a quest, in search of everything beautiful in this world. I intend to share this beauty with you, through writing my travel stories, sharing insights, and showcasing my photography. I invite you to join me in your own search of what you find beautiful in this world. And, let us see what wonderful things come of it.

“But you will be,” she said.

Photo Credit: Anna Lucas

"Vision Board - 2015"

Be a Powerful Visionary

Hello, my name is Anna. And, I am a visionary.

Last month, I challenged you to THINK BIG. Now, I'm not the sort of person to simply ask you to do this without also accepting the challenge myself. So, two weeks ago, I did something I've never done before. At exactly midnight on Saturday, January 17^th, I flicked my phone into airplane mode, effectively disconnecting myself from the distractions of the world wide web, Facebook, texts, emails, and phone calls. For the following 49 ½ hours, I went off the grid, dressed in my most comfy pair of pjs, poured myself a glass of homemade Kombucha, and scattered my personal journals, some pens, a few books, stacks of magazines, and my 2012 Date with Destiny (DWD) workbook on my midnight blue, feather duvet.

Then, I got busy. I had done a significant amount of emotional foundational work prior to this weekend during the DWD seminar I had attended two years prior. But, this past December, I discovered a couple of things.

[#1] For several months between 2013 and 2014, I had stopped living my mission and my core values. I had lost sight of the clear vision I had seen for my life and thus was no longer really acting or living my life in the way I should to ultimately manifest that vision. Needless to say, I had been struggling for a long while.

[#2] Once I began to look at the old 2012 vision board I had created, I quickly realized it need a tune up. Much of it was still very relevant, but I needed to reorder some things, set new one year goals, and definitely spice up my relationship vision.

So, that Saturday morning, I read. I scribbled notes. I danced. I drank a LOT of tea. I thought. I stretched. I thought more. I wrote.

I used my DWD workbook as a guide to ask myself good questions. I read through four journals I had filled in the last two years. I reflected, I pondered, I decided.

And, I got pretty juiced. I mean, this is MY ULTIMATE DESTINY we are talking about here!

It is a deep belief of mine that we must, at the very least, ask for the things that we desire in life. Not plead, not beg, but ask and stay open to the answer. But before asking, we must get crystal clear with what we are asking for. And, by God, I was determined to get clearer than a fresh mountain stream.

Once I had written everything down (after hours of revising, editing, expanding, and deleting), I got my artsy on. I grabbed my scissors, scooped up a stack of magazines, and started clipping. Words, numbers, phrases, pictures – anything that highlighted or represented a part of my “new and improved” vision. I was set on designing a colorful poster to boldly illustrate my ultimate destiny. At 1:29AM on Monday morning, I had completed my poster - just shy of 49 ½ hours later after disconnecting from the outside world.

Photo Credit: Anna Lucas

Then, I went through and read everything out loud. My mission statement, my primary question, my “I Am” power words, my towards and away values, my 5 one year goals, and, my personal favorite, my relationship vision. These overall concepts may not be fully understandable to most people (unless you've attended a DWD event), but when you read what they represent per my example, you might better understand. Regardless, you'll get a VERY intimate look into the kind of woman I am, the type of woman I choose to be, and the way I wish to live my life each and every day.

Photo Credit: Anna Lucas

My Mission Statement:

I, Anna, see, hear, feel, and know that the purpose of my life is to radiate joy, love and gratitude for God, myself, and others!

My Primary Questions:

How can I embrace, even more, God's pure love and divine guidance right now?

Photo Credit: Anna Lucas

My “I Am” Power Words:

I am LOVE

I am PEACE

I am WHOLE

I am GUIDED

Photo Credit: Anna Lucas

My Top 5 One Year Goals:

[#1] To fall in love with the man in my Ultimate Relationship Vision

[#2] To write my first novel

[#3] To perform the role of 'Jo' in the live theatrical production of “Little Women” this spring

[#4] To learn, understand, and confidently speak Spanish

[#5] To travel – specifically to spend 1-2 months road-tripping across the USA from Wisconsin to California this summer and to spend 1 ½ months in Bali this fall

Photo Credit: Anna Lucas

My Towards Values:

“Anytime I...”

God/Spirit

• Have a heart and soul connection with my Creator through meditation, prayer, song or conversation; or
• Honor God's creation by appreciating my surroundings, the beauty of nature, and the earth's inhabitants; or
• Speak my truth and share my love of God and all humanity; or
• Am moved to strong emotions of joy, love, and/or gratitude; or
• Feel the goosebumps of God's warm embrace.

Love/Connection

• Remember that God is in my heart and loves me unconditionally; or
• Share conversation or comfortable silence with my Higher Power, family, friends, and/or my community; or
• Give or receive warm hugs and/or sweet kisses; or
• Reach out to a person in need of a friend or confidant.

Wellness/Health

• Move my body with intention through exercise, dance, and/or yoga, challenge my mind and expand my intellect, and/or nourish my spirit; or
• Am reminded what a blessing it is to be able-bodied and/or take time to strengthen my muscles and/or push my body to expand it's limits; or
• Consume healthful food and drink and/or avoid toxic elements; or
• Witness changes in my body and/or gather more wisdom in my mind and soul.

Inner Peace

• Consciously take a deep breath; or
• Spend any amount of time in mediation and/or prayer; or
• Choose to rest; or
• Smile.

Joy

• Laugh so much it becomes contagious; or
• See love and/or excitement expressed between others; or
• Share in someone else's joyful moments; or
• Feel my eyes sparkling.

Service

• Give of my time, money, and other resources for the betterment of the earth and it's people; or
• Help out a friend or stranger in need; or
• Am generous, open-hearted, or compassionate.

Abundance

• Delight in the richness of God's love and unending compassion; or
• Remember all the blessings in my life; or
• Achieve monetary success.

Curiosity/Wonder

• Am mindful of the experience I am having in the present moment; or
• Experience a sense of awe and/or fascination in the discovery of something new; or
• Take the opportunity to learn, explore, and/or feed my wanderlust.

Authenticity

• Speak my truth; or
• Make decisions from my heart; or
• Honor and respect my body, mind, and spirit.

Courage

• Find strength to do something despite an underlying fear of the unknown; or
• Go on an adventure, experience a new culture, and/or introduce myself to a new person; or
• Follow the path less traveled.

Photo Credit: Anna Lucas

Away Values:

Consistent inappropriate feeling of Worry

• Only if I were to consistently obsess or agonize over things out of my control instead of remembering to let go and let God.

Consistent inappropriate feeling of Shame/Guilt

• Only if I were to consistently ruminate over past poor decisions instead of embracing the opportunity to apologize as needed and forgive myself.

Consistent inappropriate feeling of Self-Doubt/Jealousy

• Only if I were to consistently indulge in the illusion that I lack specific traits or characteristics and compare myself to other's instead of focusing on my strengths, gifts, and God-given talents.

Consistent inappropriate act of Deception/Deceit

• Only if I were to consistently make decisions out of scarcity instead of remembering that God's love is abundant and that is the greatest Source of wealth possible.

Consistent inappropriate feeling of Defensiveness

• Only if I were to consistently indulge in the illusion that my ideals, values, and opinions are solely correct instead of appreciating people's differences and using the opportunity for self growth.

Photo Credit: Anna Lucas

My Ultimate Relationship Vision:

Describe your ideal relationship. Write down everything you want. What would you relationship look like? What's the impact of this relationship? What would this relationship serve? What would it inspire? What would it bring to your life?

My ideal relationship is a soul union created through divine intervention. We have a profound connection as our soul's have been entwined for eons, since the very beginning of existence. The first time we meet, there is instant comfort and ease which serves as a solid foundation to intimacy, understanding, and greater appreciation for one another over time. There is harmony and great joy in our spiritual union – our love and delight in one another inspires and brings hope to others that, yes, deep love, intimacy and passion does exist through a partnership rooted faith and guided by God. Our openness and free-flowing communication expands and intensifies our curiosity in one another and glorifies our interconnectedness. Our adventurous spirits and hunger to explore the world brings about endless opportunities to grow individually and strengthen our relationship. We approach life with awe and wonder, welcome continual spiritual, intellectual, and physical growth, and approach life's challenges as opportunities for deepening our love, our faith and our sense of community. We deeply honor and empower one another – we fully embrace each other's greatness!

Because he is fully present with me, I feel adored, heard, understood, and treasured – I am a magnificent and beautiful goddess in the arms of my brave warrior, safe and secure in every way. He is my hero, anticipating my desires and taking action to fulfill them. I appreciate his integrity and honesty, his humor, sensitivity, centeredness, and old-soul wisdom. At night as we lay, our limbs intertwined, we whisper softly to one another our heart's desires. Once sleep envelops us, our

dreams interconnect, our passions and desires weaving together into a unified vision. During our waking hours, we continue to inspire and fuel one another because we have a shared purpose and mission to serve God and positively impact and inspire others on their journey.

Through our union, every sense is heightened. We see, hear, feel and know one another because we have chosen each other. This man is my lover, and I am his. Each day, we desire to more deeply understand one another but more so, we wish to reveal and unmask every essence of ourselves to the other. Because we freely choose to do this, our thoughts and emotions are in sync – a word need not be spoken and yet our needs or wants are simply understood.

We share our love openly and often with one another and make vows of commitment to ceremoniously unite our hearts and our futures. We find oneness in the union of our complete and whole selves. Our life flows in a natural rhythm, and we consciously evolve together, sustaining and nurturing our love through playfulness, laughter, trust, and openness.

I am the wild prairie and he a fierce fire. The flame of his masculine force burns steady and with his touch, the golden grasses catch fire, engulfing and igniting my feminine essence - our love, desire, and ferocious longing for one another burning hot and brighter still. Passion and tenderness swirl in an all-consuming inferno, magnifying my radiance and beauty and setting him free to bask in ultimate ecstasy. We fall more in love every single day.