I only get to see my paternal grandfather once a year, if I’m lucky. He lives in San Diego and makes a trip around once a year cross-country to see relatives. He usually stops on the way to visit us, his grandkids, in Utah. It used to be him and my Grandma but she passed away 3 years ago. He was in town today and took us to dinner. We went back to his hotel room and he told us stories from his trip and of our cousins and other relatives he’s seen recently.

He started talking about my Grandma Marge. He was telling us about how when they cremated her he took a portion of her ashes, put it in a bottle, and sealed it. She goes with him everywhere and he talks to her just like when she was alive. “You must think I’m insane now.” He laughed.

“I knew the moment I saw her I didn’t want to be with no one else but her.” He said. “It was a blind date and she walked in and stole my heart. Ripped it right out.” He giggled with the delight of a boy much lower in years before adding “Still don’t want to be with no one else.” He coughed and blinked away a few tears.  I assured him I could think of nothing more or less insane than that.

I will settle for nothing less than that level of certainty and romance, my Grandfather has ruined me for all future relationships.