Someone you can count on

Last weekend we were camping up at Algonquin Provincial Park. I took a nap one afternoon while everyone else in the family went over to a nearby river to play in the waterfall. Dave and Sam cycled and Angus and his girlfriend, Jaylene, walked. The walk was a little much for Jaylene, who had a sore foot so Angus asked Dave if he would mind getting the Jeep and driving back to pick up himself and the limping Jaylene.

"Sure," said Dave. He and Sam cycled back to our campsite and then drove back to the spot where he had told Angus and Jaylene to wait for him.

They weren't there. Dave waited for half an hour, worried sick about what could have happened to them. It turned out Angus had decided to walk back, through the forest trail instead of on the road.

I couldn't understand why he would have done that, when it was him who asked for the ride in the first place, so I asked and I asked and I couldn't get a straight answer. Finally he said, "I wasn't sure he'd be there."

So I told him, you can always count on Dave.

Always.

He will never let you down.

If he makes a promise to you, he will keep it.

Just lately he has proven that to me again. And again. He stands by me no matter what. He sticks up for me when it's necessary and even when it's not. He is my backbone, when I have none. He hugs me when I need a hug, wipes my tears, tells me it's all going to be fine.

We were out for a motorcycle ride the other night and I was hanging on to his strong back, enjoying the cool evening air rushing by, the soothing rumble of the engine and the verdant summer scenery and I felt such incredible trust in this man. Such safety.

I realized that if our bike broke down, he would fix it. That we would never be stranded. That the bills would always be paid. That he would always have my back. That he would always be my best friend, and that he would always love me.

Don't tell me I'm lucky. I know. I really, really know.

And those roses? He bought them for me last week. :)