‘Twas the night of our party and all through the house

We were mixing and stirring and starting to doubt…

In the last minute tasks, all was a flurry

50 guests were coming and we had to hurry!

Rain was predicted in LA, the worst of all year…

With snow storms and flooding for states far and near.

The plates from Chicago had not yet arrived

(It was weather dependent on a three day drive.)

The polenta lasagna had been cooked with care

Thinking of women in Malawi who wouldn’t be there.

But it’s in their honor we are making this fete

Because Don Smith empowers them to be their best!

We hung flowers and wreathes (like the plates) at our door

And mason jars with corn kernels lit up the floor

Inside the house there were flowers galore

The table was set with food and much more

From Chicago, Atlanta and Santa Fe

Our guests came from all over…including LA

Cherry Norris (the hostess) Don Smith (founder Village Empowerment)

Melora Hardin & Gildart Jackson

with my husband, Lorenzo

Isabel Parlett, Moi and Dana Ehrlich

Mark & Mimi Fleischman with Nick Kilgore

Cherry, Dr. Darnese Martin & Pamela Baker

Nancy Gale & Donna Sozio

John Opgenorth, Lauren Opgenorth (photographer) Cherry, Lorenzo, Emmy Le & Nason Nur

Don Smith and his work on the African terrain

Brings hope and joy to orphans in his domain

It is through contribution that Don’s work will continue

So give from your heart if his work speaks to you

Village Empowerment

(BTW…The rain held off until eleven o’clock

and the plates arrived moments before the first knock!)

(Sheeew!)

Thank you Lauren Opgenorth for taking the photos

That bring us joy of the party and momentos.

Meet Biscuit…the New Love of our Life!

Here he is…a three month old Lhasa Apso.  Isn’t he the cutest thing you’ve ever seen?

(Maybe I’m just prejudiced!)

I finally understand what it is to be a “dog person”.  Opening my heart to this little animal is one of the coolest experiences I’ve ever had.  And one of the most educational!

Have you ever been on a trip you wish could go on forever…but you’re so overstimulated you HAVE to come home to rest?

That’s how I feel after returning from an incredible week in Tucson, Arizona with my amazing mastermind group lead by Baeth Davis, The Hand Analysis.  All I can say is, “Wow!”  What a phenomenal entrepreneurial week!

I can’t wait to “show” you my new direction!  So stay tuned!

It was a big treat to meet Melora and have dinner afterward with the rest of our amazing Mastermind group!

Looking up from my computer, I asked, “What’s that? Is it stuffed? Is it alive?”

Lorenzo set the “fluff ball” on the floor. It barely moved. I couldn’t see his eyes for all the hair.

But I knew. It’s a dog.

(OMG!)

I could not believe Lorenzo did that. I could not believe he bought us a new puppy!

(Talk about taking a risk!)

But within the first week, I realized having a new puppy is very much like falling in love.

1. It’s Unexpected

Just like talking about falling in love, you never really expect it when it happens. Falling in love is what you’ll do someday. When you meet the right person. When you have all your affairs in order. Or after the next trip…

Then you meet him and all your plans go out the window.

I couldn’t speak when Lorenzo bought me a dog. We had talked about getting a dog.

Someday.

But here it was. Live. Real. In-person.

Meeting Biscuit wasn’t a WOW moment like…”Oh WOW! I’m so excited!” And I’m running around screaming, “Oh WOW!” It was more like, “Oh. Wow. Oh. Wow. Oh. Hell. Oh. Wow.”

This is OUR dog.

This is it.

This is what “Love” is?

Oh. Wow.

2. It’s Obnoxious

Like a couple kissing and fondling each other in public, not caring who’s watching because they’re sooooo in love…having a new puppy is just as down right obnoxious.

I’ve never been one of those “dog people”. They’re so obnoxious about their animals.

Until now.

Now, I’m an obnoxious “dog person”.

And I don’t care who sees it.

I want to show “my love” to everyone.

Oh, how happy we are! Isn’t he cute? I share stories of our meeting with strangers. (Happy sigh.)

It’s obnoxious. It’s really. Really. Obnoxious.


3. It’s Terrifying

In the beginning, “Love” is so fabulous. It’s so new. It’s so exciting!

And then you realize you have to live in real life. And “Love” has needs. But you don’t know what they are, because you’ve just met.

You don’t know each other at all. You don’t know what he’s thinking.

And that’s when the terror hits.

And just like falling in love, you realize no matter how much you think you’re prepared, you’re not.

I’ve entertained the notion of having a dog. I like the idea of a loyal companion accompanying me on my walks. I like the idea of something cute looking up at me. I like the IDEA of having a dog.

But the reality is I know NOTHING about raising a puppy. I have no idea how to take care of it! What if I screw it up?

What if I kill it?

I told Lorenzo he couldn’t go back to work until the puppy was an adult. He couldn’t leave me alone with Biscuit!

It was terrifying.

(Lorenzo did leave me alone with Biscuit. I’m fine now.) (In case you were wondering.)

4. It’s Difficult to Say “NO”

Just like saying “NO” to having sex too soon, it was just as difficult to say “NO” to Biscuit when he wanted to jump on the sofa.

I really, really wanted him to come to me. It would be great to cuddle with him on the sofa, but it was our second day. I had to say “NO”.

Jumping on furniture is not a habit I want to encourage.

Friends couldn’t belive my willpower. Most of them said, “You’ll give in. You can’t resist. You’ll have to have him with you on your sofa.”

But I knew if I let him have his way from the beginning, I’d pay for it in the long-run. I knew he wouldn’t respect me.

I knew he’d walk all over me. Spoiled.

And I knew that once I said “YES” it would be very, very difficult to say “NO” again. If ever.

(Okay, I admit…I’ve let him up a few times, but…not EVERY time!:))


5. It’s Work, but It’s So Worth It

Like a romantic relationship, having a new puppy is a lot of work.

You have to tend it. It takes time. You have another responsibility in your life. With someone who has their own ideas and opinions about things.

But you’re committed. And it’s a priority.

With Biscuit, we bathe him, feed him, walk him, poo him, brush him, medicate him and take him to the vet.

And like a typical man, Biscuit is always in our business. He wants to be a part of Everything!

And I love it.

He’s so joyful. And playful. And adorable. (Everyone thinks so!)

He’s so good. (Everyone says so!)

And soooo sweet. (Everyone loves him!)

(I warned you…”It’s Obnoxious!”)

And I’m such a Proud Mama. (I’ve Never heard myself say that before!)

And although I’ve never experienced childbirth, I imagine holding a new baby must evoked similar sentiments.

Falling in Love…is So Worth It!

Here’s to the “Loves” in Your Life!

I’d been back in Los Angeles for 10 whole days after meeting Lorenzo.  And I still hadn’t heard from him!

Didn’t our meeting on Le Ponant (the sailboat in the Mediterranean) mean anything to him?  (see October 2007 blog)

The last thing I expected was for him NOT to call…or e-mail…or write!

DATING DIRECTOR TIP #1: It can be normal for a man to wait 10-14 days before calling a woman after meeting her.  Shocking, I know…but true.  Remember…Boy time is different from Girl time.

I was going out of my mind.

My “male friends” were soooo supportive telling me it’s normal for a guy to meet a girl on holiday and never see her again.  (Thanks guys. Love you.)

My Italian teacher, Mirella, wasn’t so discouraging.  She suggested I e-mail Lorenzo telling him, “Ho photographia per te”. (Translation: I have photographs for you.)

I wasn’t sure if I should be the first one to make contact, but by this point, I was so anxious that I took the risk.

I sent the e-mail.

And then…NOTHING.

Two days later, at my next Italian lesson, I complained to Mirella.  I simply didn’t understand why Lorenzo didn’t respond.  It felt terrible.

Then lo and behold, I arrived home and discovered not only a Fax…but an E-mail and  TWO Phone messages from Lorenzo!  It worked!!

DATING DIRECTOR TIP 2: What I did was “jump start” the relationship from the US to Italy.  Like dropping a handkerchief.  Like saying, “Yoo hoo.  Remember me?”

When I returned Lorenzo’s call, he told me he couldn’t come to LA like he’d planned because his company was flying him directly to Costa Rica for his next job.  But since he had time off, he invited me back to Italy.

“When?” I asked.

“Tomorrow,” he said.

“Tomorrow?”  Is this a joke?

“If you can,” he added casually.  “If not, we’ll think of something else.”

“Let me see what I can do.”

I got off the phone not believing I was EVEN considering this.  I thought, “I’ll call my travel agent.  And then bargained with God that if the ticket was over $1000.00 I wouldn’t go.”

Monica, my travel agent, was skeptical…telling me she didn’t think any flights would be available for the next day.

When Monica called back she was just as surprised as I was.  The round trip airfare to Venice was $500.00!  Incredible.  (Apparently, Italy isn’t a high destination spot in November).

I called Mother who said, “You’re not going are you?”

I called Pat Allen who said, “You’re going aren’t you?”

Yes.  I am.

Keep in mind: I don’t speak Italian.  I’d never been to Cortina d’Ampezzo in the Dolomites…(didn’t even know where it was!)  I don’t really know Lorenzo.  But I did have a credit card!

DATING DIRECTOR TIP #3:  Always have Plan B.  Go where you feel it’s safe.  If you don’t feel comfortable, leave.  I’ve had enough travel experience to believe I could find my way back from Italy if I didn’t want to be there.

So I flew to Venice.  Staying up all night.

Lorenzo picked me up at the airport.  And we stayed up all night.

And the next day, when I was feeling exhausted (but warm and cuddly), he tells me his “ex” called.  Some big drama (I never did fully understand).  But I did get that she was back in the picture and he wasn’t done….(even though he’d stopped wearing the yin/yang necklace she’d given him.)

Uh oh.  Long distance booty call?  I don’t think so.  Time to go.  I do not want to build and bond with a man who’s not over his “ex”.  Thank you very much.

Okay…one more day.  (Please.  I’d just arrived the night before.) I decided if I felt the LEAST bit uncomfortable, I would find a way to get back down that mountain to Venice.

But I NEVER felt uncomfortable.

Lorenzo cherished my feelings.  I didn’t feel pressured and he didn’t punish me when he didn’t get his way.  (I am soooo done with getting the “silent treatment” when I don’t give it up for a man.)

At that time I couldn’t “define” our relationship.  It wasn’t a romance, although there was tons of chemistry.  It wasn’t a friendship because who knew if we’d ever see each other again.  It wasn’t a business deal.  (Obviously.)

But it was fun.  I liked hanging out with Lorenzo.  It was easy being together.  He made me laugh.  He took care of EVERYTHING.  Especially me.

Here we are hiking in the mountains.

DATING DIRECTOR TIP #4: Ladies, if you EVER want a TRUE
experience of feeling feminine, go to a foreign country where you can’t
speak the language and depend on a man to get you around.  It’s
humbling.  And rewarding.  And it feels GREAT not to have to “take care
of things”.

After the first week, Lorenzo invited me to stay an additional week to meet his parents who were returning from France.

So I did.

On the day I was leaving, Lorenzo loaded my bag into the elevator and looked at me.  I’ll never forget it.  I knew I was looking at my husband.

On the way to the airport, we went to see the Catholic church in the center of Cortina.  We walked in as the organist was practicing in the balcony above.  Walking down the aisle, I couldn’t look at Lorenzo.  My eyes started to water.  It felt eerily familiar.  Although I’d never been in that church before, I felt as if I had.  I decided then…if/when we ever marry, it will be in this church.

At the same time, I felt like an Idiot for thinking like this!

Arriving at the Venice airport, it was a scramble to get through security and get to the gate.  As Lorenzo emptied his pockets, out came the yin/yang necklace that his “ex” had given him.

I felt like Christopher Reeve in the film, “Somewhere in Time”…when he sees the penny with Jane Seymour.  Hello, people!  Back to reality!

“He’s off to Costa Rica.  I’m back to LA.  I’ll never see him again.  He’s still in love with her.  I’m such a fool…”

Or so I thought.

But that’s another story.

There are many wonderful (and not
so wonderful) moments of this year that could qualify as
”unforgettable”.

In BIG ways, 2007 has been an amazing year.  We’ve been blessed.  We’ve had no close deaths (other than my Uncle Bill in December 2006).  No life threatening illnesses.  And no divorce.

Of course we’ve had our challenges.  Who hasn’t?

But here are my BEST.  My Most Memorable.  The Moments I want to remember in 2007…

…but First, my Entertainment Favorites:  (Lorenzo has his own.) (Yes, his includes “Rock of Love”.)

TV Shows: “Dexter”, “Californication” and (ultimate favorite) “Rock of Love with Brett Michaels” (Part 2 is coming in 2008.  Hope it’s as hysterical!)

Music Video: “What Goes Around Comes Around” by Justin Timberlake

Music: Mika, Red Hot Chili Peppers and (new favorite) Ray LaMontagne

Movies: “Ratatouille”, “Knocked Up” (I forget the important films)

Books: “The Glass Castle” by Jeannette Walls, “Scar Tissue” by Anthony Kiedis

And the memories that years from now, I’ll remember as the biggest “WOWs”.

10.  Being 50.

I wasn’t the ONLY ONE to turn 50 this year!  Here I am (center) with good friends:  Dr. Juliet Rohde-Brown, Bill Lindsay, Rory Bruer & Lori Robinson celebrating on December 16, 2006.

9.  Our First Halloween Party. Ever.

It was Lorenzo’s idea. (He didn’t celebrate Halloween in Europe.)  We dressed as pirates.  (Move over, Johnny Depp!)

8.  Jury Duty.

We, the Jurors, found a man guilty of 7 counts…including having sex and giving genital herpes to his 12 year old daughter.  Disturbing, yet memorable.

7. Watching April Coble Ski.

Watching April is like watching art in motion.  She’s one of THE Top Women’s Water Skiers in the World!

Come see us at the Relationship/Ski week: May 2008 at Coble Ski School

6.  Two Friends Move From LA:

LeeAnn Webster to Chicago, IL.

Peter Catalano to Austin, TX.

5.  Traveling with the Tylers.

Ski trip to Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy in March.  It’s snowing on Lorenzo, Sarah, Lucy, Kate & Me.

Girl’s Theatre Weekend in New York City.  Lucy, Sarah & Kate at the Plaza before our “Sex in the City” Tour. (see November blog)

4.  Two Family Reunions:

The Norris Family: At my brother’s lake home in Charlotte, NC.

Front Row:  Chris, Jack & Neal (nephews)

Back Row:  Lorenzo, me, Drew (brother-in-law), Laura (sister), Tanner (nephew), Ward (brother) & Stephanie (sister-in-law)

Mother was there too.  (She took the picture.)

The King Cousins: At my aunt & uncle’s lake house in Kingsport, TN.

Here are my cousins (mid-late 60’s) at “The Shanty” (our Grandfather’s lake house).  (If you haven’t noticed…we like lake houses).

On the diving board:  Ward (brother), Laura (sister), Mary (cousin), Me, Libert, Robin, Gigi & William (cousins).

40 years later:  We “haven’t changed a bit.”  Ward, Laura, Mary, Me, Robin, Libert, Gigi & William.

3.  Lorenzo Winning “All Star” at Nordstrom

…And making “Pacesetter” (2nd year in a row for top sales)…And his Promotion to Personal Shopper. (“Baby’s” gotta brag:))

(He took me to Melisse to celebrate.  Another big “WOW”.)

2.  Meeting Jane Goodhall.

In June, I took an African safari with the Jane Goodhall Institute in Tanzania.  Jane Goodhall surprised our group (of 12) by coming out of the “bush” (woods) in Gombe (the National Park where she researched chimpanzees for 40 years).

We had drinks and dinner with Jane telling stories.  Pretty Amazing.

Honorable African Mentions: Dancing with the Massai & Seeing the Migration of the Wildebeasts.

And of course…Buying Jewelry from a Massai.  Because no

matter how remote a culture, a woman still needs to accessorize.

1.  Completing Our House

This was NOT my original Most Memorable Moment.  In fact, I didn’t think of this at all…until now.

I thought it would be:  Finding My Purpose (I DID have a major “ah ha” moment of clarity…and sense I’m on the right path.) (Thank God.)

Or: Our First Christmas with Company (a memory that hasn’t happened yet, but promises to be great) (see December blog)

But sitting here on a rainy December afternoon…two days before company arrives…and our outside furniture is indoors around the Christmas tree…as we WAIT on the weather…so the men can finish the patio (that was to be done this Spring)…

I have to say (as blessed as we are to live where we do) that having our townhome renovation complete (after TWO YEARS of construction)…will be THE MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT.

And God willing, it will be by the end of 2007!

Here’s to all Your Most Memorable Moments!  Cheers!

Our home will be merry, merry indeed!

So how to prepare for this “festive fete”?  What is simple, yet elegant?  How can we set up, then relax and enjoy?  (I don’t want to be slaving away while everyone else is sipping cheer…any more than you do!)

The plan:  Set the table in the living room by the fireplace and the tree.  Use shimmery crystal and glittering ornaments for added sparkle.  Light lots of candles so the ambiance is warm and cozy.  (I still pretend “the weather outside is frightful” even if it’s 80 degrees in LA).  Plan a menu that can be prepared (mostly) in advance.

Prosecco* with Campari

Champagne**

*Prosecco is our favorite Italian sparkling wine.  Much lighter and not as “yeasty” as Champagne…and it doesn’t give you hangovers. (We love that.)  We recommend Zonin ($5.99 at Trader Joe’s).  A fantastic deal!

**The Aussies are purists and still prefer Champagne.

Mini Quiche

Pastry Bites with Feta & Onion

(Both are found in the freezer section of Trader Joe’s.  Heat and serve.  How simple is that?)

Butter Lettuce Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette

(For dressing: Mix oil and apple cider vinegar with garlic and a dash of Grey Poupon.  Et voila!)

Standing Rib Roast with Garlic Peppercorn Crust

Potatoes au Gratin or White Truffle Risotto (still deciding)

Roasted Asparagus

(Possibly a Cheese Course…Lorenzo’s half French…can’t forget the cheese!)

Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting (& Peppermint Pieces)

I wanted to make something special for dessert and it’s thrilling that
Red Velvet Cake has been discovered in Southern California.  It’s long been a
Southern U.S. tradition.

If you’ve never tried Red Velvet Cake, I recommend “Sprinkles”
cupcakes in Beverly Hills or “Le Cupcake” in Santa Monica Place Mall.
Doesn’t get much better.

Red Velvet Cake Recipe:

2 1/2 cups Plain Flour
1 1/2 cups Sugar
1 1/2 cups Cooking Oil
1 cup Buttermilk
1 tsp each (Salt, Cocoa, Baking Soda, Vinegar, Vanilla)
1 large bottle Red Food Coloring

Mix all ingredients and pour into 2 greased & floured cake pans.  
Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes
Cool before frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting:

1 8 oz. pkg. Cream Cheese
1/4 stick softened Butter
1 tsp Vanilla
1 box Confectioners Sugar

Southern Living Magazine adds peppermint pieces on top for Holiday flair!

Bon appetit!

We had two Broadway shows scheduled, but what would we do with the rest of the time?  Should I book restaurants or should we “go with the flow”?  Do they like museums?  Or is that boring?

When my neighbor heard this, she laughed.  “Don’t worry,” she reassured.  “Those three girls will show you New York City.”

And that, they did!

The Tyler Girls are daughters of my college roommate, Karen, who sadly passed away in March 2006.  Unfortunately, I didn’t know Karen’s girls as they were growing up in Florida.  It’s been a real gift to have had them visit us in LA last year with their father, Chip, and meet us in Italy for a ski week last March.

Spending the weekend with Sarah, Kate and Lucy in the Big Apple is a BIG FIRST for me.  It is the First time I have ever been alone for three days with three young women without another adult in my life!

And it was FABULOUS!

From the moment we arrived, the mood was set for Fun, Fun, Fun.  We started out Thursday night and hit Times Square on our way to dinner at Hell’s Kitchen.

Here are Lucy, Kate and Sarah in Times Square.  Aren’t they beautiful?

On Friday, Sarah booked us on the “Sex and the City” Tour.  This was sightseeing at its most entertaining!  We drove through Manhattan, (as Carrie and her gang screened on TV monitors) passing all the prime locations of this popular New York sitcom.

We went to Carrie’s front stoop.  We ate cupcakes at Magnolia Bakery.  We stopped at the Pleasure Chest (let’s just say “rabbits” are a little much for Lucy?.)

(No, I don’t feel comfortable explaining.)

And we drank Cosmos at Scout’s Bar.  All this before 2:00 p.m. (What?  I was a responsible influence….most of the time.)

Then we were off for shopping in SoHo and dinner at Balthazar before seeing the musical sensation, “Wicked”.

Unfortunately, the stagehand strike started on Saturday so we weren’t able to see “A Chorus Line”.  The girls didn’t seem to mind, as they got in more shopping on Fifth Avenue, Chinatown and the Village before dining at Pastis on Saturday night.

On the way back to the hotel, Kate and Lucy asked, “Cherry, would you consider…if not every year, then every other year, planning a trip like this?”

Wow.

I could have scooped them up and hugged them so hard.  Their presence in my life is filling a void I never knew existed.  I absolutely cannot articulate it.  I just know I love being with these three girls.  And as sad as it is that Karen is not on the planet with us, I can’t help feeling she’s very present in all of this.

“Of course,” I smiled.  “I’m already thinking Vegas.”

As The Hollywood Dating Director, I am often asked, “How did you meet your husband?”  When I say, “On a sailboat cruising the Mediterranean,” I’m usually met with, “Wow.  That’s so romantic.”

And it was.

However, without an understanding of relationships or having the skill set of what to do, my story could have  been about a brilliant affair that lasted a week.  I probably would have blown the most amazing and important romantic relationship in my life.

So as I’m telling you how we met, I’ll be giving you some very important Dating Director Tips so you won’t blow it in your own love story!

After my father died in 1994, my mother and I spoke for years about taking a trip together.  But where would we go?  Alaska? The Grand Canyon?  Tahiti?

Finally, Mother found a sailing trip that began in Malta and traveled up the coast of Italy, ending with a tour of Southern France.  She asked if I wanted to go.  Would I!  Twist my arm, Mama!  I love Italy.  I love France.  I love the sea!  When do we leave?

In October 2000, Mother and I flew to Malta and boarded Le Ponant.  Here is a picture of the boat.  Isn’t it fabulous?

When Mother booked our trip, she told me I would probably be the youngest guest on the boat.  What she didn’t tell me was that she would be the NEXT youngest guest on the boat!  Yes, I’m serious!  But these people were great.  They were sophisticated travelers, interesting and wonderfully fun to be around.

Here’s a photo of Mother and me on a zodiac (the small shuttle boat) that took us on to the island of Sicily.

We chose this tour because Le Ponant was stopping for three hours on an island called Ponza.  I had been to Ponza twice before and loved it.  So much that I was writing a screenplay set on Ponza and was studying Italian in hopes of making a film there.

I wanted to practice my Italian before arriving in Ponza so I could communicate with some friends who lived there. The detail was, they didn’t speak English and I didn’t speak Italian.  When I’d been to Ponza before, my Roman friend, Daniela, did all the talking.  I pretty much smiled, nodded and drank my Pinot Grigio.  Non problemo!   But this time I was on my own!  I needed to “parla Italiano” as much as possible before Ponza!

Here’s a photo of Ponza’s harbor.  See why I find it so charming?

Turns out, the entire crew was French!  Except for one Italian.  Lorenzo.  I could find him in the bar.  Talk about convenient.

The first night, I saw this young man, head down, mixing a drink.  I approached and said, “Lorenzo?”  All I remember was a pair of deep, intense, azure eyes looking up at me.  The light reflected through those brilliant blues and I was like WOW.  My first thought was “Cute.  Young.  NO WAY!  This man could have any woman he wanted.”

“Parlo Italiano?”  I stuttered.  Which translated means, “I speak Italian?”  (Note the question?)

I have no idea what he said as he prattled on in Italian.  He seemed pleased I spoke the language.  Which, as we know, I don’t.

DATING DIRECTOR TIP #1: Generally whoever speaks first is considered the “masculine” energy in a relationship.  At this moment, I was not there to find a date.  I was there for business (speaking Italian), so it was appropriate to initiate our conversation.

I confessed I was just learning Italian (as if he couldn’t figure that out) and asked if he could practice with me.  He said something to make me think he would.  English is Lorenzo’s third language (French is first; Italian’s second), so there was/is always a question of, “do we really understand each other?”

From then on, wherever I was, he was.  Coffee in the morning, Lorenzo was there.  Lifeboat drill, Lorenzo was there.  Evening cocktails, there was Lorenzo.  I thought, “Is it my imagination or is this man circling me?  Nah, it’s a small boat.  It’s normal he’s everywhere.”

DATING DIRECTOR TIP #2: When a man is interested in a woman, he will often “circle” her, making sure it’s safe before he “makes a move”.  (I found out later his presence was intentional)

The third night on the boat, we were sailing past the island of Stromboli.  After dinner, all the guests went up to the top deck to watch the fiery red volcano bursting in the air like fireworks.  On this night I was exhausted.  The sailboat had been pitching through rough water the past two nights so I wasn’t sleeping well.  I decided to escape from the crowd by going on the back deck to watch alone.

Then, of all the people on the boat, who should appear on my deck, but Lorenzo.  I thought, “If it were anyone else but you, I’d say ‘good-night’ and go to bed.”

We spoke for a while…the best we could.  I felt at ease in his presence.  Lorenzo told me he was thirty-three, an “old man” among the crew on the boat.  After three years traveling to Greece, Canada, America and the Amazon, he was looking to leave Le Ponant and start a “real” life on land.  I remember thinking, “He’s older than I thought.  How nice to find a ‘little buddy’ on this boat.”

The next few nights, we continued to meet on the back deck and talk.

Mid trip, we arrived in Salerno on the Amalfi Coast of Italy.  Instead of going on the bus tour to Pompei, I decided to take a walk through town.  Lorenzo was on deck as I was exiting the boat.  Surprised I wasn’t with the tour, he asked where I was going.  I told him I needed a walk and asked if he would like to join me.

DATING DIRECTOR TIP #3: It is always appropriate for a lady to ask a gentleman for “escort services”. Lorenzo told me he had to stay on the boat, but he would love to show me another island.

I said, “That’s great.  What are you thinking?”

He said, “uh…How about Corsica?”

I said, “Great.”

DATING DIRECTOR TIP #4: This was the pivitol moment of our courtship.  I did what’s called a “bait and switch”.  That means I turned a casual acquaintanceship into a date.  In my former, unskilled dating life, I would have said something stupid like, “No.  That’s all right.  You don’t have to do that,” because I would not have recognized that he was actually interested in me!  (Yes, I was that dense!)  When Lorenzo said he wanted to show me around another island, I pretty much knew he didn’t have a plan, but I positioned it as if he did by asking, “What are you thinking?”  At that moment, Lorenzo went from “little buddy” to “man I’m interested in dating”.

The next day we stopped on Ponza.  Here is a photo of Mother and me with my friends, Pino, Adele and their two children, Jacomo and Emanuella.

I spoke very butchered, very baby-like Italian.  They were very impressed.

That night, we sailed under the clearest, most star-filled, balmy night I’ve ever experienced.  Lorenzo left for a moment to help move a table.  I was standing on the back of the boat, watching the sky, when the most perfect, most amazing shooting star rose up behind the stern, arched across the back of the boat and fell to the other side.  It was magnificent.  It brought tears to my eyes, it was so beautiful.

At that moment, Lorenzo appeared and I told him what I saw.  Suddenly, he embraced and kissed me.  I was shocked!  All that was running through my head was “What are you doing?  What are you doing?  What if someone comes?!?”

No one came.

The next day, we stopped on Corsica where we had our first lunch date.  I ate pizza.  He ordered moulles frites (clams and French fries).  We shared a carafe of local rose and talked about our past and our dreams.  He was going to develop real estate with his father in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy and I was going to make another film.  Right.  No one could have predicted then that he would give up sailing and Europe for me.  And DUTY DATING is my only feature to date.

Here’s the only photo I have of the two of us on Le Ponant.  Ponza is in the background.  Unfortunately, you’re not able to see those brilliant baby blues that bedazzled me!  In other postings, you will.  I promise.

So that’s how I Met My Husband Sailing On The Mediterranean.  Mother never dreamed I’d bring home such a souvenir!

May all your meetings be magical.