Fishing for Love

Eight years ago, my boyfriend's parents invited me to spend a week with them at their camp in Maine.  I was nervous and excited.  He and I sat in the backseat flirting with each other while his parents drove us to their family's vacation spot.  Six months later, we would be married. 

Today, I made that same trip with my two kids, my two dogs, and my mother-in-law riding shotgun.  My father-in-law drove ahead of us, towing the boat and the fishing gear.  This Thursday, while we are together at Camp, my divorce will become final. 

I can't help but spend some time remembering that first trip.  Pop and Nick and I fished.  A lot.  I never really fished before I met Nick.  I frankly don't really enjoy fishing.  I enjoy the fighting part, bringing the fish to the boat, but I hate seeing them torn up from the hook, thrashing around while I try to get it out, and gasping before I finally throw them back into the water. 

This morning my son said something to the effect that Mom doesn't fish.  I replied, "I fish." 

Pop said, "Your mother likes to fish." 

I said, "Not really.  I like being on the boat." 

"But you fished in the ocean . . . "

"I fished because I liked being with Nick.  I was in love." 

I remember those days.  I remember how it felt good to spend time doing an activity I don't particularly love because I'm doing it with someone I do. 

I would not choose to go fishing with Nick now.  Not on the shore, not on a boat, not in the ocean, not in a moat. 

But this week, I will choose to go fishing.  I will fish with my little boy.  I will fish with my little girl.  I will fish with my ex's mom.  I will fish with my ex's dad. 

Why? 

Because I am in love again. 

I am in love with two little kids who think fishing on "The Brown Boat" is the greatest thing in the world.  I am in love with a little house with "Duke's Place" on a plaque over the door.  I am in love with a man and a woman who have treated me like a daughter for almost a decade and feel like my second parents.  

And because I am in love, I will once again enjoy fishing.