13 years ago I was very happy. I rode when I wanted, I lived the way I wanted and I existed for me. 11 years ago I fell in love with a long time friend and we moved in together. I am still crazy about this woman, but I have to confess I have not always been comfortable with the adjustments.
My bicycles, 13 years ago, hung in my bedroom. When I began sharing that room she was very diplomatic and suggested that my bicycles clashed with the furniture that she brought to the relationship. So the machines of my batchelorhood were relegated to the garage.
I soon realized that most of my stuff clashed with her stuff because the garage was full of my stuff. What is wrong with an orange bean bag chair? So what if it had duct tape on some of the seams to keep its guts from spilling onto the floor? I miss my coffee table...mostly because the stain rings were of an artistic nature. Maybe I could see the reasoning behind all my worn out tires making their way to THE CLASHLANDS, but not my old, er I mean antique shoes? When I suggested that we had plenty of wall space and wouldn't a bike painted completely red and hung on the wall (like sculpture) be a great addition, I was shot down over "aesthetic differences".
Now one might think that I am whining and complaining about my partner in life. Quite the contrary. I want to brag about her. She understands that cycling is slightly obsessive with me. When I wanted another bike I expected a small battle of words. I got,"We better make more room in the garage". That was 2 bikes ago. She encourages my riding. She supports me and I could not ask for more. A while back I asked why she never minded me taking big chunks of time to go riding with my buddies. She said that it is simple. I always come home and it keeps me from hanging out in bars.
I know that she reads this forum and I must say...thank you. Balanced with the other things that we do together, I couldn't ask for more. Happy anniversary.