Apolo's Girl of the Week #28

[jennaceeta25]

linmiste said:

Hey, thanks, everyone! Maybe I can let evie have ONE dinner with him. Will that be enough?

Jenna, we were visiting relatives near DC, in Lancaster, PA, and in Basking Ridge, NJ as well as friends in central Jersey, where I grew up. I'm thankful our families live close enough to see everyone over the holidays, but it does make for a crazy week!

I agree! My dad's friend lives in Lancaster, PA. He's been trying to make us move there because I guess he's lonely there? He has a son..so I don't understand. They have nice scenery there. I'm glad you had fun with your fam. That's the most important part of Christmas.

[Lori Girl Next Door]

Boooooo - I missed this whole week, but I WOULD'VE voted for ya' Linmiste! You deserve it, and I hope you're having a great week!

[linmiste]

Dear Ladies of GA,

Since you all were so influential in my winning Apolo’s Girl of the Week #28, I thought I’d write you a note to let you know how the week went! It took some effort to convince my husband to let me go to Salt Lake City (since Apolo is in training, he couldn’t come here), but eventually I hopped a plane heading west.

I didn’t expect Apolo to pick me up at the airport, but there he was, unruly locks and chiseled features, holding a sign with my name. I hesitated to shake his outstretched hand, knowing how sweaty my palm had suddenly become. But I had to return his greeting, so I quickly brushed my hand along my jeans as I raised it to meet his. I don’t think I had a coherent thought in my head for the first hour of our acquaintance, but our man was completely gracious.

It was New Year’s Eve (wow!) so we went to dinner at my hotel restaurant, then headed out to meet up with his friends for a party. Since most were athletes, the sparkling cider flowed freely. I grew nervous as midnight approached. Would this be a kissing crowd? I decided to go on the offensive. The ball dropped, everyone hugged and some kissed. Before I could rethink my decision, I gave Apolo a kiss on the cheek and a hug. He flashed his pearly whites and returned the hug. Bliss.

On Tuesday, I went to watch him practice, and was completely amazed by the discipline and skill of all the skaters. I am definitely a short track fan for life now. After practice, he borrowed a pair of skates my size, and took me out on the ice for a crash course in speed skating. And I mean CRASH course. Although I’ve done some ice skating, this was quite different and I wobbled along, never making a full lap without falling. However, I held on to him for support a bit more than necessary. And I’m only slightly ashamed.  Then we went out to eat, and I asked question after question about his Olympic experiences. Apolo said apologetically that he had to get to bed early, so I went back to my hotel and sweet dreams.

Wednesday I toured Salt Lake City. I’d never been there before, so I relished the opportunity to explore on my own. I went back to the Olympic Oval and Apolo drove me out to his house for dinner. His home was exactly as I’d expected: neat and sparsely furnished with comfortable but simple furniture. He had planned to make sushi for us, and we spent two hours with our hands in sticky rice, talking about life philosophy and religion and childhood experiences. I don’t think I’ve had such a stimulating conversation in years!

With a wink, Apolo blamed me for his poor performance on the ice Thursday. I sat in the stands, alternately reading and watching the skaters. We ate lunch and dinner with members of the team, and laughed a lot.

After practice on Friday, we headed to downtown Salt Lake and took in Temple Plaza still lit by myriads of holiday lights. With such great company, I hardly felt the cold nipping at my toes. Women of all ages often turned to look at us. I’m sure they were wondering who this handsome man was with. I’m not old enough to be his mother, but too old to be a girlfriend. Unless I’m like Demi Moore… and I’m definitely not! I shivered with delight at being his companion for the evening.

We window shopped, and ducked into a few stores to buy souvenirs. I fingered a silver necklace with turquoise beads, but decided not to buy it. As we left the store, Apolo said he’d left something, and ran back in. A couple minutes later, he emerged and handed me a little box. His eyes sparkled as I opened it. The necklace lay inside. I studied him with amazement, and couldn’t resist a ‘thank you’ hug.

On Saturday, Apolo picked me up at the hotel for a day of skiing. I don’t think he ordinarily does something that might endanger his bones, but earlier in the week I had told him I skied in New England, but never out west. I didn’t mean that I expected him to take me, but there he was in his loose jeans and red bandana, holding open the door to his SUV and grinning at me. I enjoyed every exquisite moment of that day, from sitting shoulder to shoulder on the lift, to swooshing down the mountain, to sipping hot chocolate in the lodge. We talked about his hopes and dreams for the future, and all I can say is that I pray every one of them comes true.

Sunday morning we had brunch before Apolo drove me back to the airport. I really felt like crying… the week was a chapter out of a fairy tale, but now the last page was about to turn. He waited with me for the plane to board, and despite the chaos of the terminal and two requests for a photo, he treated me like I was the only person in the room. He was charming and gracious every moment, even when tired. I tried to thank him for the week, but found myself tongue-tied again. He gave me a genuine hug and said, “Let’s keep in touch. Maybe you can come back for World Cup.” “I’d love to,” I said, but I knew it wouldn’t happen. Real life awaited me. I boarded the plane, returning his wave and his grin, but I was withering inside.

I’d like to say I’ve made a friend, but I know Apolo will go on to bigger and greater adventures, and I’ll be watching from afar. I hope I was a blessing in his life for a few short days; he certainly was in mine. And I think that until the day I die, I’ll feel a little pitter-patter in my heart at the memory of his intelligent hazel eyes across the table from me. Someone once said, “Love consists in this that two solitudes protect and touch and greet each other.” It may only have been a week, but it was love.

Thank you all for this chance of a lifetime.
Your friend,
Linmiste

[laura6]

Great Job!!!!!!!!!!! Loved that!!!!

[lizzbeth]

linmiste said:

Dear Ladies of GA,

Since you all were so influential in my winning Apolo’s Girl of the Week #28, I thought I’d write you a note to let you know how the week went! It took some effort to convince my husband to let me go to Salt Lake City (since Apolo is in training, he couldn’t come here), but eventually I hopped a plane heading west.

I didn’t expect Apolo to pick me up at the airport, but there he was, unruly locks and chiseled features, holding a sign with my name. I hesitated to shake his outstretched hand, knowing how sweaty my palm had suddenly become. But I had to return his greeting, so I quickly brushed my hand along my jeans as I raised it to meet his. I don’t think I had a coherent thought in my head for the first hour of our acquaintance, but our man was completely gracious.

It was New Year’s Eve (wow!) so we went to dinner at my hotel restaurant, then headed out to meet up with his friends for a party. Since most were athletes, the sparkling cider flowed freely. I grew nervous as midnight approached. Would this be a kissing crowd? I decided to go on the offensive. The ball dropped, everyone hugged and some kissed. Before I could rethink my decision, I gave Apolo a kiss on the cheek and a hug. He flashed his pearly whites and returned the hug. Bliss.

On Tuesday, I went to watch him practice, and was completely amazed by the discipline and skill of all the skaters. I am definitely a short track fan for life now. After practice, he borrowed a pair of skates my size, and took me out on the ice for a crash course in speed skating. And I mean CRASH course. Although I’ve done some ice skating, this was quite different and I wobbled along, never making a full lap without falling. However, I held on to him for support a bit more than necessary. And I’m only slightly ashamed.  Then we went out to eat, and I asked question after question about his Olympic experiences. Apolo said apologetically that he had to get to bed early, so I went back to my hotel and sweet dreams.

Wednesday I toured Salt Lake City. I’d never been there before, so I relished the opportunity to explore on my own. I went back to the Olympic Oval and Apolo drove me out to his house for dinner. His home was exactly as I’d expected: neat and sparsely furnished with comfortable but simple furniture. He had planned to make sushi for us, and we spent two hours with our hands in sticky rice, talking about life philosophy and religion and childhood experiences. I don’t think I’ve had such a stimulating conversation in years!

With a wink, Apolo blamed me for his poor performance on the ice Thursday. I sat in the stands, alternately reading and watching the skaters. We ate lunch and dinner with members of the team, and laughed a lot.

After practice on Friday, we headed to downtown Salt Lake and took in Temple Plaza still lit by myriads of holiday lights. With such great company, I hardly felt the cold nipping at my toes. Women of all ages often turned to look at us. I’m sure they were wondering who this handsome man was with. I’m not old enough to be his mother, but too old to be a girlfriend. Unless I’m like Demi Moore… and I’m definitely not! I shivered with delight at being his companion for the evening.

We window shopped, and ducked into a few stores to buy souvenirs. I fingered a silver necklace with turquoise beads, but decided not to buy it. As we left the store, Apolo said he’d left something, and ran back in. A couple minutes later, he emerged and handed me a little box. His eyes sparkled as I opened it. The necklace lay inside. I studied him with amazement, and couldn’t resist a ‘thank you’ hug.

On Saturday, Apolo picked me up at the hotel for a day of skiing. I don’t think he ordinarily does something that might endanger his bones, but earlier in the week I had told him I skied in New England, but never out west. I didn’t mean that I expected him to take me, but there he was in his loose jeans and red bandana, holding open the door to his SUV and grinning at me. I enjoyed every exquisite moment of that day, from sitting shoulder to shoulder on the lift, to swooshing down the mountain, to sipping hot chocolate in the lodge. We talked about his hopes and dreams for the future, and all I can say is that I pray every one of them comes true.

Sunday morning we had brunch before Apolo drove me back to the airport. I really felt like crying… the week was a chapter out of a fairy tale, but now the last page was about to turn. He waited with me for the plane to board, and despite the chaos of the terminal and two requests for a photo, he treated me like I was the only person in the room. He was charming and gracious every moment, even when tired. I tried to thank him for the week, but found myself tongue-tied again. He gave me a genuine hug and said, “Let’s keep in touch. Maybe you can come back for World Cup.” “I’d love to,” I said, but I knew it wouldn’t happen. Real life awaited me. I boarded the plane, returning his wave and his grin, but I was withering inside.

I’d like to say I’ve made a friend, but I know Apolo will go on to bigger and greater adventures, and I’ll be watching from afar. I hope I was a blessing in his life for a few short days; he certainly was in mine. And I think that until the day I die, I’ll feel a little pitter-patter in my heart at the memory of his intelligent hazel eyes across the table from me. Someone once said, “Love consists in this that two solitudes protect and touch and greet each other.” It may only have been a week, but it was love.

Thank you all for this chance of a lifetime.
Your friend,
Linmiste

Awwwww..........
I had to log in just so I could say how much I enjoyed your little story.
It made my day!!

[linmiste]

Glad you liked my story, laura and lizzbeth. I had fun imagining a week with Apolo. :-)

[laura6]

linmiste said:

Glad you liked my story, laura and lizzbeth. I had fun imaging a week with Apolo. :-)

Liked it!! I LOVED it!!!!!!

that was soooooo fun!!!!!!

[number1fan]

linmiste...what a great story! i have a huge smile on my face right now!!! thanks for starting my week in such a happy note!

[jennaceeta25]

Linmiste, you must have had a great week with Apolo! I'm so glad you had fun with him AND durning New Years Eve, lucky girl! ;D

Trust me, I would have got sweaty palms, also!

[linmiste]

Aw, I'm so glad I could bring a smile to your faces, #1, jenna, laura. That makes MY day! It's so fun to share a silly fantasy with people who understand.

[number1fan]

who totally understand .

[lexi]

OMG Linmiste - that was wonderful! What I can't believe is that as exhausted as he must be having one of us each week, he still makes you feel like you're the only one at that moment.

I'd share my experience from back in November, but I'm afraid it's unprintable.

[Lori Girl Next Door]

What a great story, Linmiste! You have a way with words - I was smiling all the way through it...

[linmiste]

lexi said:

OMG Linmiste - that was wonderful! What I can't believe is that as exhausted as he must be having one of us each week, he still makes you feel like you're the only one at that moment.

I'd share my experience from back in November, but I'm afraid it's unprintable.

You make me laugh, lexi! I love your posts!

[linmiste]

Lori said:

What a great story, Linmiste! You have a way with words - I was smiling all the way through it...

Aww, thank you, Lori. I REALLY enjoyed writing it!