Mark and Merlot

“Oh my gosh, what am I doing?” she thought, as she entered the hustle and bustle of New York City. This was just a stop along the way, to be quite honest. Most people are snuggled in debilitating fear during this unusual pandemic, but not her. She was on her way towards the equator, where a magical Rasta man awaited her. Their first date seemed like complete fate.

I know what you're thinking… she’s totally about to be “hoodwinked”, because like Mama always used to say, “when something seems too good to be true, it usually is!”

Quite unusual really, this story of love. Often what life brings is an adventure of many ups and downs, and curvy parts too. A story, nonetheless, to bring that warm Caribbean sunshine to your heart.

She was there, masked, waiting patiently in the sporadically occupied bar, anticipating that beautiful companion of Merlot to kiss her off, before her long journey. Sitting there, she recollected how, months prior, she was trying to convince herself that she wasn’t doing the “Afro-Cuban” dance workout videos to insure that she could articulate her hips like those amazing African and South American queens did!” she laughed at herself, and thought, “What divinely gorgeous creatures women could be. Inspiring, and sexy sexy sexy”. And “damn, those women could move!” It’s like water and sunshine in their bones.” she thought to herself. She could feel it too, but watching them gave her more freedom to explore that deeper DNA and get back to that natural beauty and rhythm of the earth that carried them through base and bounce. She loved it, and it felt like he was there with her when she did it, appreciating the rhythm and view.

She definitely had a deep imagination, it carried her into many situations both blissful and questionable. The older she became, her discernment became a little more like a guard, and less like a temptress. But still, somehow his magic crept in, out of nowhere. She tried more than once to deny this power, this force, this strong frequency. Sometimes it feels like it’s organized by God, or something beyond her simple understanding. She could not resist because it felt like the sweet reach of love from a truly golden heart.

I know, I know what you're thinking...way too unreal and mushy! But it’s REAL. Real like water on your skin, from the fresh waterfalls in the jungle. Like the flesh of a mango against your lips. It’s real like breathing, like walking and feeling air on your skin. Out of all odds and distance, he’s the closest man she ever met.

They found each other through some invisible thread, ok maybe not the organic way from the past, but through the mutated version; Facebook. But they found each other.

He had such a simple request. “Empress, I must hear your voice when I wake up and before I sleep. Then my day will be complete, he expressed. She thought, he must be trying to win her over with some ulterior motive...but something you can’t fake, is REAL. It's the honest parts that have stayed in tune with the natural rhythms, that kind of real. Simple soul recognition kind of real.

Over the regular conversations, she learned about his days, his habits, his music, his family, his way. Simple, honest, and Real. His voice has that soothing rhythm to it, and his words so thoughtful and kind. There is a sweet crack in his laughter, and learning presence in his mind. Real people learn lessons that truly change your being. They chose each other, like king and queen. No distance can barrier love.

As she sat there, sipping that delicious Merlot, that was described in poetry to her…”luscious notes of black cherry, raspberry, and plum”... she thought “I wonder if King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba shared a special drink, and I wonder what sort of majestic grace brought them together? Not that she, by any means was comparing herself to the Queen of Sheba, but she did remember the description of her longing. “And her heart inclined to go to him, for God had made her heart inclined to go and had made her desire it.”

She sat, enjoying every sip, knowing that her flight left early in the morning, she wanted to be mindful of her limits, yet savoring this royal moment. She could feel the energy of her distant love, preparing for her arrival.

Imagine, 7am, she was going to embark across the air and ocean to have her first date with a man she had fallen in love with. Not some, short fleeting kind of romance, but a soul mate, ordained by a blessing beyond her idle questions. This was a journey of hope and faith.

Playing her Reggae music while she stayed centered, overlooking what she had packed, making sure all the gifts and tokens of appreciation were accounted for, she felt her heart fill with certainty and courage. A kind of courage that he fueled in her. He gifted her, already, with the bravery of a lion, unable to be shaken by the mediocre trials that life brings.

“Here we go…” she thought, as her flight prepared to take off into this huge mystery. Where would this journey bring her? Was she a hopeless romantic, bringing forth these humble dreams that would soon dissolve in mere acceptance or was there a different element to this, that was truly sacred. A mission of love, casting new meaning into her otherwise broken heart. “Guess we will see...she gently thought to herself”

The airline attendant woke her, she had fallen fast asleep, and apparently had a slight smile the entire time. The attendant joked with her saying…” I want whatever you got, baby!” This made her giggle.

She’d arrived, the warm Caribbean air cradled the plane, and her heart was pounding like an ancient base...drumming her blood into every crevice of her anticipation. She wanted to be present, so her breath deepened. She was absolutely calm, this, in of itself, helped her accept whatever laid before her.

Patiently waiting for the others to gather their belongings and exit the plane, she gathered hers as well, and made her way to the exit. She still had to go through customs, so she tried to stay patient but the warmth immediately made her sweat, as she respectfully pulled off some layers. Everything went smoothly, and then…

There he was, not incredibly tall in stature but huge in spirit. His remarkable dreadlocks wrapped neatly against his crown. His smile filled the entire airport as he claimed her with his energy. She really didn’t want her cumbersome bags, slowing her down, but she was grateful for the pace, so she could stay contained a little, in her monumental excitement.

Finally, they embrace. “Hello, Empress.” “Hello, my King.” so sincerely, they expressed. They held each other for a moment and looked into each other’s eyes, amazed that the day had finally arrived. Their kisses would have to wait, masks required! You could see their grins, regardless, and their hands clenched, not even air could come between them.

SHE MADE IT!!

He was so kind and thoughtful in caring for her, after renting a car, they went to retrieve some coconut water and fruit. The taste of sunshine, it seemed. The nourishment was lost to words.

“You are my sunshine” he sweetly claimed. She knew this journey wouldn’t be easy, but it definitely would be blessed.

Of course, the hustle of the city was slightly overwhelming, being such a sensitive person, and having been distanced and alone for so long. She tried to not be emotional. Her breath and the warm air coddled her, keeping her calm.

After finally arriving at a small basic bungalow, off of a dirt road in the jungle. They took a “fresh” as they say in the Caribbean. Cleaned and settled, they explored each other’s lips and suddenly she remembered that tasty wine she had in New York. She had bought a bottle to share with him. She unpacked it out of her suitcase and they giggled in delight that it was intact. She poured the wine with immense gratitude. Sitting in each other’s embrace and listening to the serenade and music of the jungle, no matter what happened next, this moment was as Royal as they come!