After much too much wine, we once again took a taxi to the chalet. It was dark enough that we could barely see our hands in front of our face. Our saving grace was the North Star; and even at that, I somehow managed to slip and fall on my face. It would become become the "Hallmark Moment" of the trip, and I the laughing stock therein of the evening.

Samantha took the time to nurse me to health that evening. She sat me down next to the fireplace and brought over a lantern for light. After several minutes and plenty of peroxide and pain, the bleeding stopped. She kissed me softly, laid me down beside her, and we slept soundly until dawn.

Morning came quickly the following day. Despite the slight pounding in my head from sulfates; many of them I might add, I awoke hungry enough to devour an elephant.

I wanted our last breakfast to be memorable as well, so I asked Lee and his reigning lady if they would part ways from us for the breakfast hour. I desired to be alone with Samantha. Separating would mean we were on our own till "High Noon", and that is exactly what we did.

No skiing would take place, as we were ordered and rudely rushed out of the chalet by 10:00 AM. I vowed that morning to return to Vermont, and I vowed to have Samantha with me.

Breakfast was split. I ordered scrambled eggs, rye toast and a broiled grapefruit with cinnamon blazed into the flesh. To my surprise, Samantha ordered the same; and in some ways, we were already acting like a couple who had spent eons together. I enjoyed her company immensely, but it was quickly coming to a close.

After two hours at Cafe on Main, we decided to hop into Samantha's Jetta and head toward the meeting place we had set with Lee prior to the long trek home. Frostburg State University was just a shade over ten hours away. It seemed as if the drive took only twenty minutes, and we only stopped twice to refuel and use the "office". Lee and I talked about our respective partnerships that we had formed, and how much we desired for those relationships; now built, to remain intact.

We made it to the "Quad" on campus and to Allen Hall just shy of 11:00 PM that evening. While the drive seemed fast, we were both terribly exhausted. We had reminisced the entire way about our new partners. I even had proof on my cheek; still red from windburn and pain, that my story was one-hundred percent true.

It was now the end of March and soon it would be Easter break. Our respective colleges were not on the same schedule,; however, but I decided I somehow, someway, had to see Samantha. She had decided she was returning home to Jersey for Easter, and I had yet to be invited. "I must see her", I thought!

Her family lineage was Irish and starkly Catholic. While it had been several years since I had personally been to church, I knew that would be part part of the plan if invited; and invitation accepted, to Samantha's home.

She had written me several letters between Spring Break and now as we were nearing Easter, and I had kept up with the natural flow of communication via email. At least I had fulfilled my obligation and promise to keep in touch, and she had done so as well. She was faithful in sending a card each week of inspiration that almost always arrived in my mailbox on a Friday.

After many moons of wandering, I received the letter.