First Weekend Together

by Gwen Cooper — April 2, 2007

I’m the kind of person who tends to note and make a big deal out of firsts. Perhaps it’s my background in public relations, where the first of anything is considered a newsworthy hook for pitching journalists. Or maybe it’s because the firsts often set the tone for how subsequent events will play out.

In any case, Friday night marked the first time that Paul spent the night at my apartment. This was followed by an additional first on Saturday night—the first time I spent the night at his apartment. And then we arrived at the weekend’s final first last night, which was the first time we were separated after having spent a weekend together. I insisted on returning home as I’d recklessly pushed all my weekend writing deadlines off until first thing this morning.

The weekend was, in many ways, a perfect first weekend for a fledgling couple to spend together. Saturday was sunny and clear—one of those days that’s an early harbinger of spring—and it was a perfect day for wandering aimlessly around the city, enjoying each other’s company. Sunday was gray and damp, ideal for spending time indoors making eggs and watching old movies, and seeing how well we do one-on-one with no outside activities to distract us from each other. (Answer: we did well!)

Sadly, our time together will be extremely limited in the days to come. Between impending holidays, a mountain of work, and the arrival of houseguests from Sweden, this week may very well be another first: the first time we’re separated for almost a week after having spent a whole weekend together.

A few days ago, this would have been the source of a great deal of anxiety—a fear of interrupting the momentum of our relationship before it fully gets off the ground. But, writing this with the memories of the last two days still fresh and vivid in my mind, I find myself—for the first time—feeling really good about where this is all going.

Gwen Cooper is the author of Diary of South Beach Party Girl, to be published this month by Simon & Schuster.