Hiking Smith Rock for the first time was on my list, so on January 8, 2011 we set out. It was a beautiful and slightly crisp day and there were still traces of snow on the sides of some of the paths. We were going to hike Misery Ridge. I always thought that they should rename that if they really wanted people to come. Having now hiked it, I think they should leave the name exactly as it is. People should be warned! (Plus, as a side note, why do they have a steep hike just to get back to street level? By that point people should be allowed to walk downhill!).
Danny was great to hike with. He was patient and stopped to let me rest without me even asking. He made sure I knew where to step so I wouldn't slip. He carried the backpack with our water. He had even brought snacks, but I couldn't eat them because I thought I was going to throw up. As we rested at the top and looked at the beautiful view, we started talking about our relationship. I had been praying about it and seeking counsel and thought we should take a break from each other (much like the previous break) for about three months.
I thought he was going to choke and fall off the rock. He had been thinking it would be for about a week again. But I needed to sort through some things. He said that since it had been his fault, he would wait...however long it took me to decide.
A few days later we set the exact dates. He wanted to be there for Lauren's birthday on the 11th, so we would start on the 12th. We wanted to end before Spring Break because if we decided to date again we would be going to Northern California together to visit my friend. The grand total was 9 and a half weeks of separation.
On our last night together (Lauren's birthday) I assured him that I would let him know as soon as I had a definite answer.
We had a farm class together once a week, so we did see each other, and we did talk in class, but only about generalities like we would with our other classmates. And he did call the house a couple of times to talk to my mom about some farming something or other and I answered, and then quickly handed over the phone. Once, I called him because I had some pressing relationship questions. They were the kind that depending on his answers would determine whether we needed to continue our fast or I could just tell him then that it wouldn't work. He passed and we went back to no contact.
On March 18th the fast ended. It was the Friday evening that Spring Break started. He came to pick me up to take me to dinner and I gave him my answer...but that's another story.
Smith Rock:
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