The days of classes and nites of tasting continued. I was enjoying the Italian wines more than I had France. It seemed to be a consensus among the guys, as we liked the big and bold reds that Italy has to offer. Besides Super Tuscans, Chianti quickly became a favourite.

A few weeks went by and Jeff and I had not been to the slopes. We decided to take both a Saturday and Sunday to go skiing, and I agreed to pay for us to stay overnite at the lodge. My intent was to get Jeff's opinion on my dilemma.

We packed the car early that Saturday morning and headed for Stowe. I had booked us a room at the Stowe Mountain Lodge, a fine place to lay our heads for the evening. In the past thirty days, they had recorded eighty-seven inches of snow. It was not a record, but would certainly make for some excellent conditions on the slopes. Personally, I was looking forward to the exercise, and the impending relaxation in the lodge. Jeff had packed the cigars, so I knew he was prepared for a serious conversation.

After a long day on the slopes, we went down to the pool area in the lodge which also had a hot tub. It was soothing for both of us and we at first made small talk. I finally broke the ice and my question to Jeff. He had been thinking about what could make a relationship and a marriage last forever for a few weeks. His answer was simple, but also seemed to ring true. Jeff said, "To make a marriage last forever, I believe you need to designate a specific "date nite" regularly and take a solid vacation once or twice a year. Life is too short just to work and not harvest some of the rewards."

As I thought about his answer, I had visions in my head of Tuscany. The beautiful sunsets over the vineyards, and the plethora of plantings. The history of the place itself, and the people were of great interest to me as well. I felt certain that a vacation like that once or twice a year would go a long way toward cementing a relationship. Again, it was sage advice; something I could sink my teeth into.

I felt like Oscar was on to something. Relationships do have to be dynamic to be successful. I had seen that thru my own father and mother, and so it seemed to be a reasonable explanation. But did that alone scream forever? I needed more proof.

Our study of Italy was intense. I was most interested in learning more about Super Tuscans. Straight from the Tuscany region of Italy, these wines are some of the most highly regarded in Italy and the world. Made from the Sangiovese grape with at least a seventy-percent portion, these wines are commonly made in a Bordeaux-style blend, sometimes using Cabernet and Merlot. Tiganello by Antinori and Sassicaia are two recognizable standards in this classification of wines. Since Tuscany was where Samantha and I would spend most of our time in the coming summer, I would focus my study of Italy on Tuscany.

After talking with Oscar, I felt better about getting the idea of having a love that stands the test of time off my chest, so to speak. And while I would ask my additional fellow students as well, I knew I would appreciate them knowing my dilemma and their individual opinions. On Tuesday nite, I explained over our normal wine tasting that I would be asking each of them for advice. I asked them to think about their answers individually, but not reveal them until such time that I would have together with them individually. Jeff, Billy and Andrew nodded in agreement, and agreed to give the subject much thought.

Wednesday was the normal nite for Samantha and I to talk on the phone. The weather had been somewhat brutal as of late, and the snow in the northeast was being stored in massive piles in shopping centers and other places where the state roads department could find space. Each of us were lucky in that we were not far from school; Samantha living on campus and I only five minutes away from school. Having talked to Oscar, my discussion with Samantha that evening was more fluid. There was not hesitation in my voice nor an err of something to hide. I was working thru my issue with the help of some trusted advisors; my friends, and my father.

After finishing my salad and the calamari, we decided to share an artisan cheese plate complete with pickled fruit, bread and spiced honey. As Oscar thought about my burning question, we talked about school and how we each thought we were doing. It was hard to narrow down who might have the best chance at gaining the title of sommelier, but we each felt that someone other than ourselves was doing better. I, Jeff; and Oscar, Billy.

For dinner I had a seared black cod and Oscar had a fire roasted whole fresh fish. Both were served with some local vegetables and some appropriate sides and spices to bring out the flavours in the fish.
We continued to talk about our current "Tour of Italy" and when w had finished our last bite, I ordered another bottle of wine. Staying with white, I ordered a Sauvignon Blanc from the Malborough region of New Zealand.

Oscar began by saying that the question I proposed was one that could result in a number of answers from a number of people. "What works for some, may not work for others", he proclaimed. "But from where I sit, I would say that you have to keep the relationship interesting...each and every day."

We continued to talk for hours while looking over the expanse that is Lake Ontario. Like my question, the answer that I was looking for seemed as far away as the stretch of the water that I could see from the floor to ceiling glass in the restaurant. Indeed, there was some truth in the answer that Oscar gave. For a relationship to stay alive, a couple cannot grow stagnant. I vowed to do what I could to keep things interesting, and considered this to be one of the tenants that I would work from in keeping our relationship strong, and improving it.

I also decided that evening that I would confide in Jeff, Billy, and Andrew. Perhaps they would each have an answer that I could consider a tenant and add each one to a repertoire that would become the five ways to making a relationship last forever. At the right time, I would confide in the other three.

A few days went by and Dad called to confirm that he not only received my letter, but would be happy to help in my endeavour to ensure that I could feel that I would undoubtedly love Samantha forever.

Samantha also called to say that she was back to her normal routine at school. Plenty of work to do, classes to attend, and tests to take. While I had still not talked to any of my friends in school, there was a burning sensation inside of me to share.

It was also back to work for me and my cohort as we began the study of Italy. Italian wines were some of my favourites, and I was eager to learn about places that Samantha and I might be able to visit in our summer adventure. Kevin was most familiar with Italian wines, so I geared up for another grueling seven weeks; seven weeks I was sure to enjoy.

At the outset, I poured myself into my work, so as not to think too much about the question that was bothering me. "Forever?" However, something in my inner being told me that I could confide in Oscar. Surely he had been thru a few relationships; and while he hadn't said to this point, he might even be in one. In fact, we had yet to approach that subject with each other at all. It seemed odd, as Andrew and the others knew about Samantha based on my recent trip home, so perhaps the discussion was waiting in the wings. I would soon find out.

On an evening when Oscar did not feel like cooking for the group, I invited him out to dinner. He typically did not cook for me and the guys on Saturday nite, as we had reserved the weekends to ourselves. I was still skiing some with Jeff, but this particular weekend was designed to share my intimate feelings with a trusted friend.

Oscar seemed flattered that I wanted to spend some time with him, and I too was excited to share a meal with him. I was concerned about how I would approach the subject, but I knew somehow that the words would appear at the right time.

Spencer's at the Waterfront was located on Lake Ontario's shoreline, offered panoramic views of the water, and focused on seafood; something I knew right away that Oscar would be able to sink his teeth into. Oscar was at first reluctant to stay after seeing the prices on the menu, but I assured him that I was paying and that we needed to stay. I needed the comfort of a good meal and good company.

Oscar picked a German Riesling to start us off, which went nicely with my winter beet salad and the calamari that we shared. After the appetizer course, I began to open up as to the reason for my invitation. I started by saying that I had an awkward question to ask, but Oscar ensured me that no question was too personal.

I explained that I had been dating Samantha for some time, which he nodded in affirmation quietly. I then explained that I was in fact deeply in love with her and that we had recently discussed the idea of getting married. I was engaged after all, so that was also no surprise. It was then that I asked the million-dollar question.

Not knowing how to out it any other way, I just asked saying, "Oscar, how can a man know that he will love his life partner forever?" Being the calculating fellow that he was, he agreed to give it some thought over dinner and answer after we had finished.