Samantha came to Burlington ten days after we talked. I can remember our embrace as we were certainly both caught "in the moment". It was a moment of sweet surrender; for each other, passion and love; or at least that is what I felt. It seemed like our embrace lasted for hours; maybe even days, but as I feel sure you know, it was but seconds to a minute at most.

Samantha had never been to Burlington, so we decided that I should show her around town. Later in the evening we would get something to eat and just catch up. On the weekend we would go to Sugarbush and Stowe. Sugarbush would be a new destination...new slopes, new lodge, and new experiences. Stowe was something; a place where we both had memories, and we would make new.

Samantha enjoyed Burlington. She found it to be quaint, yet contemporary. I agreed that the description she had come up with was right on the money. Quaint, yes! Contemporary, somewhat! Forward thinking, yet to be determined! At any rate, we walked the streets and held each others hands and talked about school for her and my sabbatical. I was doing well and keeping my expenses to a minimum. I had found a reasonable place to stay in Burlington and had purchased lift tickets for the season to Sugarbush and Stowe.

Samantha was one-and-a-half semesters from graduation. I was proud of her and she was getting somewhat proud of herself. She remained less modest than most; however, she knew she had done well as compared to her peers and would have a good chance at a job in the industry side of the pharmaceutical business. Her mother and father would be proud, even though her mother would have preferred medical school.

I on the other hand was studying food science, making beer and wine, hosting tasting events once a month, skiing on the weekends, and just trying to keep a clear head. I was ecstatic when Samantha arrived, as I felt a "tug of war" on my emotions with respect to Emma; even though I tried hard to squash those feelings. Seeing Samantha solidified not only my feelings, but our relationship. I wanted her back in my arms, and would have it for a weekend. My Irish girl had come home!