White Christmas in Colorado

Things were getting much more serious between Jess and I; as our conversations began lasting an hour or longer, new questions began to surface:

Where was this relationship going?  Were we "exclusive?" What is it that we want from each other?

The line of questions that a couple usually reaches at a certain point in the relationship. We agreed, with a little coaxing, that we were committed to one another and that we would see where this would lead us.

Following our third (and successful) date, we made plans to meet up again over the Christmas holidays.  We decided to get together at her timeshare condo in Steamboat Spring, CO; it would be a 2-day date in a literal sense.  It would also be the first time we spent substantial period of time together.  To through a twist in the date, we were also joined by her Aunt and two cousins, as well as her sister Chris and her two nephews, Aaron and Baby Alex.  Not only would this be a date with her family, I felt it was a two-day interview process.  The first thing that hit me as I first entered the condo, was not the number of new people, but the temperature of the condo!!  I think it was at least 78 degrees in there, coming from the frigid cold and snowy conditions outside, it slapped me in the face.  (Let me preface that before I got married, the thermostat in the house would always be set to 65.  I like a cold house.)

Our first photo together

Some, including I at first, would be in fear of the situation, especially how uncomfortable the situation could have been.  But her family were so welcoming to me and appreciative of the kimchi I had brought up from Aurora that my mom had recently made.  It was like bringing a dozen roses and showered everyone with gifts. They were so thankful that I had come and welcomed me with open arms.  I am not a very outgoing person, but everyone more than made up for my shyness. We all went out for dinner to a grill your own steak "restaurant" and I took over as the head "griller" of every one's steak.  I tried to do my best impression of Bobby Flay, but ended up looking more like Ricky Bobby.  Dinner was a success though and we all enjoyed the meal.  We needed all the energy for a long day of skiing the next day; but before calling it a night, Jess and I exchanged gifts.  She got me some Chanel cologne and I gave her an iPod Touch that I had engraved with "iBelong to Jess."  It had a duel meaning: (1) She had lost her first iPod and so I wanted to replace it and (2) it was a subliminal message the I belonged to her.  She got neither as she didn't open it and I all but had to force her to look at the back.  She loved it.  And I loved the new cologne.

The next morning, we gathered our skis and boards and took the shuttle to the ski resort.  Her cousins would be taking lessons and the oldest nephew Aaron would learn to ski for the very first time, so it would be Jess and I for the majority of the day.  Granted I hadn't skied in over a year, but I was a Colorado native and had learn to ski when I was 8.  Like riding a bike, I made my way down until I got the skis under me again and proceed to speed up.  Jess, being very competitive herself, had to stay ahead of me.  She was a much better boarder than I was a skier and it showed.  I spent the entire day chasing her down the slope and by mid afternoon, my legs where so sore.  So we decided to grab lunch with her cousins and had our very first picture as a couple.  I wish my legs were more in shape as well as my whole body, but we could only manage one more run before my shins and feet had given up.  Needless to say, it was quite the memorable day, even if we had to cut it short.

The next day we all headed out and drove back to Denver, Jess and I in one vehicle and her family in the other.  Jess had proclaimed at the start of the trip that she never sleeps in vehicles, especially with someone new driving.  And as ironic as it sounds, within 30 minutes, she was passed out in the front seat.  It would be another hour until she would wake up, embarrassed but rested.