LR loves to lie in bed and watch mindless Netflix. These days it has been “Lost.”

She’s also a military brat who continued to follow her father around the country even after he retired. I think she has lived in more states than I have, which is quite the accomplishment. These days she lives in the Villages (only a nine-minute golf cart ride from her parents) and is launching a geriatric consulting business. Live apart from your aging parents but need a medical expert to make sure they are provided the best care? LR can help.

Today the photographer was at the house to take pictures for the website that she is having created. I was dressed for the swimming pool but was asked to appear in a few of the “at the computer” pictures.

In addition to pics for the website, LR reserved some time for a family portrait. In her haste she left the dog at home. Filling up her gas tank and grabbing her dog may not have seemed like much but it was just a few less things LR had to worry about.

On the way home after picture-taking yours truly was so mesmerized with LR that I lost track of how fast i was going and got pulled over for speeding (53 in a 35) and told to appear in court. In Florida it is a misdemeanor if you dont get a new drivers license within 30 days of moving to the state. Thankfully the green police officer chose not to arrest me. Through the ordeal LR held my hand and told me everything would be OK. Of course she had to regale me with stories of the same thing happening to her. In her case, because she is so pretty, the male police officers always let her off with just a warning.

Spending two nights with LR is a real treat. But as a nurse work stresses her so I try to let her have her alone time. After just a few days LR began including me in that alone time. She’ll fall asleep with her head on my shoulder with the white noise of the TV helping her doze off. Last week she had a terrible day at work and was crying as she drove home. She told me about her day through text. I wish I could have been there to console her but she lives 52 minutes away and has already said she cant see me on nights when she works the next day. Her full-time job has her working three consecutive 12-hour shifts, often getting home at 9:30 only to have to wake just seven hours later.

LR was busy Wednesday, Thursday and Friday doing things for the business, and I hated asking her to do something with me the night before another long day of work. But I had friends in town and really wanted them to meet her. She looked beautiful as she met one of my best friends from college (and her mom and her mom’s neighbor). I sat and listened as LR comforted the neighbor whose husband had just been admitted to the hospital where LR works. LR said she would do her best to make sure he receives the best care, promising to visit him if possible. I stayed quiet (very unusual for me) during dinner.

As my friends left the restaurant they pulled me aside to tell me that it looked like i was glowing. In fact, I was, and it was because of the pride i had for my girlfriend. One said: “she’s beautiful and sweet.” Another added: “Mark, dont mess this one up.”

I dont plan to.