ME: She’s opening with a dad joke? They have those in Spain?
also ME: It’s Natalie, shush! Let the woman work.

Delightful piece, dear lady, and relatable even to a very white (my fluorescent-lighting-induced IT pallor still hanging on in retirement, thank you) straight male Yank.

Growing up in the same small school with the same folks for my first ten years of education, I never felt odd despite my “weird-wired brain” (my sister’s phrase) until I got to high school (grades 9-12). I compare that to be tossed into the pool to learn how to swim, except I found I could touch bottom—blending in with the nerd bunch of academic achievers. Then on to the Naval Academy, which was like being tossed into the deep end of the pool. With people throwing rocks at the swimmers’ heads.

I never thought of being desired as a missing piece of my happiness, but yes, I never felt that until I was almost 30 (then lost it when she decided I was a mistake), then again at 37 (oops, another mistake!), then finally (he said hopefully) at 41. Usually I feel like I am floating weightless with love and support, but sometimes I wake up with the sensation that I am just someone who jumped out of a very tall building who has no apprehension of the ground rushing up to take me.

I’m glad you had a good time in the States! Dining tip: have a meal mate who enjoys sharing a plate with you. In your case, one who won’t try to talk you into cheesecake for dessert. 😉