Since I believe that relationships and dating have always been more fulfilling than damaging, I wish to share my story of last weekend. Quick warning: this story is really sappy but that is how my weekend was.

My girlfriend and I left Colorado Springs CO early to make the 5 hour trip to Ouray CO. The trip itself was very special. The landscape of mountainous Colorado is truly something to behold. Two lane roads winding between steep cliff faces and rivers. Small country towns with just a liquor store, church and bait shop to show the passing traffic that there is life there.

Through part of the trip she slept on my shoulder while I drove. She would wake up and kiss me on the cheek, cough or just look at me before nodding back to slumber. I couldn't help but look over from time to time and see the sun glint off her hair or the way she clutched her pillow.

We stopped for lunch in Montrose before heading off again. Eventually we arrived at Ouray and drove around looking for our hotel. Ouray is considered by many one of the most beautiful places in the nation. The small tourist town is surrounded by high, steep and stony mountains. Hot springs pour from the mountains and through the river causing parts of the town to be trapped in a dense vapor. The buildings are of a rustic old west style but not filled with modern restaurants and gift shops. The ground was covered in snow.

Our hotel called the Wiesbaden is one of the most historic places in the town. Each room is small but comfortable and surrounded by covered wooden decks where large ice sickles grab hold.

After checking in we got prepared for the "vapor cave." It is a semi-natural cave with a pool of 108 degree water pouring from weep holes and the ceiling into a large soaking pool. It is dimly lit and the air is thick with moisture.

After this we went out and got dinner at the Bon Ton Italian Restaurant. The tab ended up being $80 as we each had a glass of wine and shared an appetizer of lobster bisque stuffed noodles. I had veal cutlets and she had a marinated steak and grilled prawns. We both agreed it was a great meal.

We walked around the town looking in windows while holding hands and helping each other across icy patches. We would stop kiss and embrace. We shared some chocolates and a cookie from Mouse Chocolates.

Eventually we went back to the hotel to got ready for the highlight event. We reserved a one hour spot in the private outdoor hotspring and were both excited to go. This hotspring had the appearance of a really small pond, water flowed down a waterfall into it. We kissed and hugged and we told each other how in love we were. The first time I have ever said that to someone. We admitted that we have both felt this way for some time now but been afraid to rush things too fast.

The rest of the trip was shopping, going to antique shops, eating a giant Mexican meal and driving back to Colorado Springs. In hindsight this is among the best trips I have ever taken. It cost us probably about $250 each but neither of us is concerned.

I wanted to share this story because I thought those struggling with the deception, intrigue and problems of dating might realize that those movie relationships are possible. Maybe not as well choreographed, maybe at times laughter that would have or perhaps should have been edited out, maybe hotel lights that don't work for a while or the rude stranger. But in the end I must say I am nothing but grateful.

I am 23 years old and have gone through the dating grinder for the last 6 years of my life. I have had my fair share of psychotic women, backstabbing, broken hearts and rejection. But now I have come to realize just how small a price it was to pay for the beautiful woman I have now.

Maybe someday this too will end and it frightens me. Maybe we will grow apart, move our separate ways or grow bitter towards one another. But I think everytime I remember looking at her through the misty hot air of the hot springs I will smile.

I hope this story made you smile. In response to all the many of threads: some guys aren't jerks, some women are worth the effort, and some relationships can be healthy and fulfilling.

awwwwwwwww

I smell teh gay.

Posted by White Rabbit I smell teh gay.

YOU have GAYdar too?

Oh sorry, I must have slipped from my masculine role for a moment there.

Yeeaah, I totally took my girl to these bad ass springs and told her I love her. She was all like googgly eyed and teary and I got to scarf down some awesome mexican food . . .

Shut up. I am sorry that not every guy is a prick out to get laid and have someone to do his dishes. Someday after you get married and divorced because she didn't like being your beer fetcher perhaps you will remember that guys should be romantic also.

I love my girlfriend and I enjoy being with her. I think it is nice to just cuddle or to share a conversation. You dip shits spend your lives watching men grab each other's asses on the field and acting like the missing link.

I am also sorry for breaking the theme of this private board. I forgot that a "relationship" forum should be dedicated to the people who can't forge a relationship or get screwed over at every turn. If a guy shares his thoughts rather than saying "I would tap that" or "nice ass" or "women are bitches" they get grilled and called gay.

I was tired of hearing everyone bitch about their relationships and significant others so decided to do something a bit different. I decided to tell people that I found someone I really care for. I am one of the biggest failures in relationships. My job is to legalize drugs, I trespass, I am an atheist and I am in debt up to my eyes and I found someone I like. Do you have any clue how hard it is to find someone who doesn't mind all of that? Most women find out what organization I work for and that I am an atheist and they stand back expecting me to drip black ichor on the floor.

So stop giving applause to the idiotic men who are just out to get laid and start giving support to the people who actually wish to find a nice relationship.

Posted by Cabiria Oh sorry, I must have slipped from my masculine role for a moment there. Yeeaah, I totally took my girl to these bad ass springs and told her I love her. She was all like googgly eyed and teary and I got to scarf down some awesome mexican food . . . Shut up. I am sorry that not every guy is a prick out to get laid and have someone to do his dishes. Someday after you get married and divorced because she didn't like being your beer fetcher perhaps you will remember that guys should be romantic also. I love my girlfriend and I enjoy being with her. I think it is nice to just cuddle or to share a conversation. You dip shits spend your lives watching men grab each other's asses on the field and acting like the missing link. I am also sorry for breaking the theme of this private board. I forgot that a "relationship" forum should be dedicated to the people who can't forge a relationship or get screwed over at every turn. If a guy shares his thoughts rather than saying "I would tap that" or "nice ass" or "women are bitches" they get grilled and called gay. I was tired of hearing everyone bitch about their relationships and significant others so decided to do something a bit different. I decided to tell people that I found someone I really care for. I am one of the biggest failures in relationships. My job is to legalize drugs, I trespass, I am an atheist and I am in debt up to my eyes and I found someone I like. Do you have any clue how hard it is to find someone who doesn't mind all of that? Most women find out what organization I work for and that I am an atheist and they stand back expecting me to drip black ichor on the floor. So stop giving applause to the idiotic men who are just out to get laid and start giving support to the people who actually wish to find a nice relationship.

Figure it out.

haven't had much chance to have a nice trip/vacation like you did in your previous post, but my husband (we're both 23, and we've only been married 10 months) always does little cute things for me and I do things for him too.
The cutest thing he did recently was write out "I love you Rosie" in the snow outside the library, while everyone watched and he wouldn't leave the spot he was standing in until I came over and kissed him in front of everyone. LOL.

Anyway, I think it's really sweet the way you talk about your girlfriend. There aren't many romantic or sweet guys out there anymore. Too many assholes that are into just tits, ass and nothing else. Not all women are bitches and there's definitely more to us than our physical attributes. I love it how all the men who act like asses and think of women as toys usually have such unsuccessful relationships with women.

I don't see what the problem is with men showing or admitting their love/affection for someone. It is in no way gay. Perhaps people should reread the definition of homosexual in the dictionary. I think that the men out there that can't admit or show their love/affection for someone are the one's with a severe problem.

Posted by vicexsquad haven't had much chance to have a nice trip/vacation like you did in your previous post, but my husband (we're both 23, and we've only been married 10 months) always does little cute things for me and I do things for him too. The cutest thing he did recently was write out "I love you Rosie" in the snow outside the library, while everyone watched and he wouldn't leave the spot he was standing in until I came over and kissed him in front of everyone. LOL.

Hey, could you give him a pair of these? I think he needs them.

actually, i think you should keep them for yourself...

Posted by vicexsquad actually, i think you should keep them for yourself...

Mine are already so humongous, I doubt I could fit another pair in there.

Out of curiosity how old might you be White Rabbit? Your what 17-18? Have your balls even dropped?

Posted by White Rabbit Figure it out.

LOL! I was shown that a few months before Shutterbug and I got married.

She's quiet but when she roars, it sure catches my attention!

Posted by gtbikes51 Out of curiosity how old might you be White Rabbit? Your what 17-18? Have your balls even dropped?

Ba-zing! I'm mortally wounded!

C.H.U.M.P; chump.

Brother you Know she's gonna be all over some other dudes johnson in a couple of months; the least you could have done was go out partying or something.

Christ, you are priming yourself to get submarined.

See most women see guys like you as secure, but only in a cute way.

If you smacked her around a little she'd probably ask you to marry her.

Don't do that and she is gone is six months sucking some other goofballs cock.

Way of the world my friend, it's not right but at the very least don't spend money on it.

I'd sooner do some road whore; they don't ask for much in return.

Posted by 'Dukes I'd sooner do some road whore; they don't ask for much in return.

You always pay for it, buddy. With a road whore, you're just paying them to leave.

See most women see guys like you as secure, but only in a cute way. If you smacked her around a little she'd probably ask you to marry her. Don't do that and she is gone is six months sucking some other goofballs cock.

White Rabbit please don't belittle yourself by cheering on someone who promotes spousal abuse. I have had enough discussions with you on these forums to know that is below you.

'Dukes go out and get counseling. Your behavior is degrading to yourself and those around you. Telling someone they should beat their girlfriend and that she is going to cheat on him, is a problem and worrisome. Get some help for your behavioral problems and leave your filth at the doorstep.

It is no wonder people on this forum are having trouble finding relationships. Continually suspecting your girlfriend of cheating on you and beating her to make her like you isn't an effective way to start a healthy relationship.

So happy to see that disfunctional ingrate lowlifes like yourself have finally found a forum that will cheer on your disgusting remarks and degrading analysis of humanity. I hope all you find here is bad advice because the best advice I can give a woman is to stay the hell away from you.

Posted by Cabiria White Rabbit please don't belittle yourself by cheering on someone who promotes spousal abuse. I have had enough discussions with you on these forums to know that is below you.

Dude, it's okay. He's kidding. He's not seriously suggesting anyone go beat their significant other.

He was just trying to say (correct me if I'm wrong Dukes), that acting like a dirtbag seems to attract women like flies to shit. And for better or worse, he's right. Not all women, of course, but a whole lot of them.

Cabiria don't listen to these guys. The bad boys certainly attract us but guys like you are the ones we wish we ended up with. Dukes' was right on one account though. Keep your money when it comes to the road whores.

Posted by shellyl Cabiria don't listen to these guys. The bad boys certainly attract us but guys like you are the ones we wish we ended up with.

Maybe you guys wish for the nice guy, but most of you seem to keep going back to that scumbag type. Again and again and again. Some of you seem to grow out of that as you get older, but definitely not all of you.

It's sad but true. You want to attract women, you have to act like Mr. Big Nuts Cock-of-the-Walk.

I just don't bother with all that bullshit.
I tend to find women who don't, either. works for me.