I've been lurking, and I think I'm going to come back once in a while. I miss it here, and it gives me a place to wander around aimlessly and look at pretty pictures and read stuff that isn't assigned curriculum for 10th graders.

I'm getting married June 9th...only 4 months and 6 days away...I can hardly believe it.

Much love to all,

Charlotte

I was hoping things had changed for the better around here, but I was wrong. bookdiva, you know where I am...keep in touch, Dear.

Take care, everyone.

I've said to several people that Greg and I have a great time no matter what we do.

Last night, however, proved to me that sometimes things you thought couldn't be more fun can turn into magic...

Everyone looked so beautiful and handsome; I was so proud of them, whether they were there to attend the prom or to work to make things run smoothly. It went so well, and it was so much fun to see all of them "gussied up" and having fun.

It was fun to get "gussied up" also...my Greg looked so handsome in his suit, and even though I know it's only in his eyes, I really did feel gorgeous last night.

We talk about catharsis in class...that emotional moment when something happens to a character, good or bad, that is emotionally poignant and reveals something, maybe even cleanses their soul. When I walked out on that little corner of the dance floor with Greg last night I experienced my own true catharsis. Last night, that horribly, morbidly (500 lbs) fat girl of 20 years ago, the one who didn't go to her prom because everyone hated her for the way she looked, the one who barely had any friends, she finally had the chance to rest in peace. I let her lie down and die...I had kept her alive for far too long.

Who stood in her place? Me...a still big (but not nearly as big) 40-year-old woman who has finally found someone who loves her for who she is (not in spite of who she is), who has found acceptance in friends, family, and wonderful students who are able to look past the surface and into the human heart, and who finally is able to see the beauty in herself that she could always find in others.

See? I told you it was magic.

Today was a rotten day, for a thousand little reasons...

it all disappeared when I saw him smile,
it all melted away when he wrapped his arms around me,
he took it all away with just one kiss.

I never knew how it felt to have someone take care of me.

I could get used to this.

What a day...great all the way around. Took 90 of my AP English students to see a production of "Hamlet," and they were so wonderful and well behaved...I was so proud of them. I had 3 other teachers come along, and my Greg chaperoned also. We had a great time, and the kids seemed to really like Greg.

This afternoon he told me how much he admired me for being such a good teacher, and for how much my students love me, and how I take care of them. Then...

well, let's just say, it's an amazing thing when someone says those 3 little words you've been waiting for them to say...it literally took my breath. Then I told him I loved him too, and then I started to cry. I said, "do you know how long I've been waiting for you? All my life..."

thing is...he was so worth the wait.