Rome was in word: spiritual. Let me set the background. I think I have mentioned before that both Aaron and I are private school brats. We both also have been attending private Catholic school since preschool. Needless to say that religion has been very important in both of our lives. I have had religion in my life as far as I can remember and my family has always been very religious as well. Because it has been such an important force in my life I was more then ecstatic to be visiting Rome and more importantly Vatican City.
The friends we stayed with had their living quarters located in viewing distance of Vatican city. When we first made our way there I was more then just in awe at the chance to view everything around me. We got there late Friday night. Once we got there we were able to finally sit with friends and have some dinner. Below their apartments where the students for the Rome program are housed, is a small restaurant. They had lots of outdoor seating and we took over a big part of the restaurant. That night we spent eating, drinking some delicious red wine, and catching up with our friends. The next thing we knew we were closing down the place. We headed back up to their apartment and got ready for bed.
Aaron and i were sleeping in a pull out couch in their living room area. We settled ourselves in and realized we were no where near tired. As we lay there we started talking about religion. Being able to share not only a connection on a physical and emotional level, but also a religious level made everything that has been happening with us make more sense. We talked about how religion influences our views from politics to everyday views. It is refreshing to be able to talk to someone not only about how my day was but also about religion and how it impacts my view of the world. We talked for what seemed like hours and eventually we both fell asleep.
The next morning we woke up, got ready, and headed down to the little restaurant with the rest of the group for some breakfast. We were going to go check out Vatican City and I could not be more excited. Aaron kept joking around with me that you could see how giddy I was in my face. And I was. I was so excited to be able to finally see one of the things I said I would see before I died. What made it more special is that I was sharing it with someone who understood why it meant so much to me.
Once we had eaten our share for the morning we headed out. Once standing there in the midst of all that symbolizes my religion I was left speechless. I was holding Aaron's hand and I just squeezed it. He knew that I did not need him to say anything so he just squeezed it back. We spend the day in Vatican City. From the Swiss Guards to St. Peter's Basilica everything was amazing. I sat in one of the pews and literally thanked God for giving me a chance to be seeing this. The whole time Aaron had his hand in mine knowing that it was all I needed.
We made it back to the apartments and enjoyed yet another fabulous dinner. After more catching up we all headed to bed. Aaron and I had to catch an early flight back to London since we had so much work to get done when we got back.
Back on the plane on our way back to London Aaron looked at me and said my name, "A?"
"Yeah."
"You had fun didn't you?" he asked.
"I had an amazing time," I told him. "It was more then amazing, I got to see something I have been wanting to see all my life, and I got to see with you."
He smiled that crooked smile and held my hand up to his face. He kissed my hand and said, "I am glad I got to share this weekend with you too."
We finally made it back to the flat and realized we were too tired to get any work done that night. We went into my room and intended to take a nap. I snuggled up to him and laid my head on his chest. He kissed the top of my head, said "you're amazing", and the next thing I knew it was the next morning.
The friends we stayed with had their living quarters located in viewing distance of Vatican city. When we first made our way there I was more then just in awe at the chance to view everything around me. We got there late Friday night. Once we got there we were able to finally sit with friends and have some dinner. Below their apartments where the students for the Rome program are housed, is a small restaurant. They had lots of outdoor seating and we took over a big part of the restaurant. That night we spent eating, drinking some delicious red wine, and catching up with our friends. The next thing we knew we were closing down the place. We headed back up to their apartment and got ready for bed.
Aaron and i were sleeping in a pull out couch in their living room area. We settled ourselves in and realized we were no where near tired. As we lay there we started talking about religion. Being able to share not only a connection on a physical and emotional level, but also a religious level made everything that has been happening with us make more sense. We talked about how religion influences our views from politics to everyday views. It is refreshing to be able to talk to someone not only about how my day was but also about religion and how it impacts my view of the world. We talked for what seemed like hours and eventually we both fell asleep.
The next morning we woke up, got ready, and headed down to the little restaurant with the rest of the group for some breakfast. We were going to go check out Vatican City and I could not be more excited. Aaron kept joking around with me that you could see how giddy I was in my face. And I was. I was so excited to be able to finally see one of the things I said I would see before I died. What made it more special is that I was sharing it with someone who understood why it meant so much to me.
Once we had eaten our share for the morning we headed out. Once standing there in the midst of all that symbolizes my religion I was left speechless. I was holding Aaron's hand and I just squeezed it. He knew that I did not need him to say anything so he just squeezed it back. We spend the day in Vatican City. From the Swiss Guards to St. Peter's Basilica everything was amazing. I sat in one of the pews and literally thanked God for giving me a chance to be seeing this. The whole time Aaron had his hand in mine knowing that it was all I needed.
We made it back to the apartments and enjoyed yet another fabulous dinner. After more catching up we all headed to bed. Aaron and I had to catch an early flight back to London since we had so much work to get done when we got back.
Back on the plane on our way back to London Aaron looked at me and said my name, "A?"
"Yeah."
"You had fun didn't you?" he asked.
"I had an amazing time," I told him. "It was more then amazing, I got to see something I have been wanting to see all my life, and I got to see with you."
He smiled that crooked smile and held my hand up to his face. He kissed my hand and said, "I am glad I got to share this weekend with you too."
We finally made it back to the flat and realized we were too tired to get any work done that night. We went into my room and intended to take a nap. I snuggled up to him and laid my head on his chest. He kissed the top of my head, said "you're amazing", and the next thing I knew it was the next morning.
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