Synergy

Our flight circled on its final approach to land in the large and sprawling city of Valencia. I had watched with interest as we flew past the Spanish Balearic Islands of Menorca (Minorca) and Mallorca (Majorca), and saw Eivissa (Ibiza) in the distance to the south; then approached the coast of Spain. Even though there were announcements over the plane's P.A. system, Carlos had made sure I saw the islands. We would be sailing around them soon on our short honeymoon. The coastline looked so beautiful as it unfolded north and south to beyond our range of vision. It reminded me of my home, Australia, with miles of wide sandy beaches. This region is typical of some coastlines around the Mediterranean; but I had a special interest in this particular coastline. A little over an hour's drive to the north of Valencia City is Castellon de la Plana. That is where Carlos and I would be heading as soon as we could collect our luggage, clear customs, and pick up the rental car he'd arranged. He had politely declined his brother's offer to pick us up from our flight as he wanted to drive us there himself. It would give him an opportunity to point out some scenery and places of interest to me while he drove us up to his family home. It would also give me a more relaxed introduction to Spain and then meeting his family; rather than arriving in a new country and meeting his family all at the same moment. It was simply another example of Carlos' consideration for me that he had displayed ever since we met on Skopelos just two brief months ago. We'd enjoyed our flight from Athens. It only took a little over six hours; including the relatively short, but necessary, stop in Rome. Even though Valencia airport was fairly busy; well it was early on a Saturday afternoon; we collected our minimal luggage, cleared customs, and picked up our rental car in reasonably good time. I was so pleased to be here with Carlos. I speak very little Spanish and the airport and streets were quite crowded. Of course he had no problem with the language; he's Spanish. He was also very familiar with all of the airport and customs procedures; and he obviously knew his way around the city streets. All major pluses for me; this is my first time in Spain. I'm not really all that relaxed or happy in large crowds, so being with my partner Carlos made exiting the airport and getting out of the city a fairly stress-free experience for me. We chatted as he drove us up the coast to where I would meet his family; and where we would be living for much of the next month. His chatter was a mixture of pointing out things of interest to me; and also ensuring that I was as relaxed and comfortable as possible. A few short weeks ago back on Skopelos, when he had initially raised the idea of us coming here so I could meet his family, I had been more than a little concerned and apprehensive. My levels of concern and apprehension were only increased when he proposed that we marry; and I accepted. It can be difficult and uncomfortable enough sometimes when meeting the family of your partner for the first time; but there are greater possible complications in this meeting. Carlos would soon be introducing his male partner to his family. If that were not enough; the facts that his male partner was quite a few years older than him; that we had only been together for two months, and were intending to marry in a few weeks; might be viewed as having the potential to raise some levels of concern with his family. He had almost completely convinced me that none of these things would be issues or problems to his family. But in the back of my mind I would still harbour some slight doubts until I had met his family and settled into his flat with him. Carlos is 34 years of age; I am nearly 60 years old. We met unexpectedly only two months ago on the Greek Island of Skopelos. I was there to finish writing a book; he was there on a painting holiday. We'd met quite by chance and were drawn almost instantly to each other. Romance and a deep and genuine love developed very rapidly between the two of us. Within a few days we were living together in the little villa I'd rented overlooking the Aegean Sea. It was obvious to both of us almost from the start that we were meant to be together and would be for the rest of our lives. Those two wonderful months together had convinced us we were right. I won't recount the story of those two months here; if you are interested, you can follow that part of our story in my earlier book `Serendipity'. It is enough that I mention here how and where our relationship and journey together began. ........................................ Watching this close-knit family together, I now understood why he is the person he is. I'd only met these people during the past hour or two, yet they had happily included me into their family group and made me feel like I was one of them. ....................................... My own family experience had been vastly different; we loved each other, we're family; we just never particularly liked each other. There are some major differences between `loving' someone, and actually `liking' them; it's not the same thing. ......................................... They never understood me or who I am, and that had not been a problem for me for many years. We shared the same last name and nothing more than that really. My dear and close friends loved me and also liked me just as I am. They are all happily married heterosexual couples, and my sexuality has never been of any interest or concern to any of them. .........................................