Croeso i Abertawe

September 2, 2008

4:45pm

I step down from the train and on to the platform.  "Croeso i Abertawe," the sign reads: "Welcome to Swansea"!

4:51pm

"CHEERS!"  Jamie and I touch glasses and I take a big swig of my first Welsh beer.  Sitting across the table from my old mate is almost surreal.  We've talked about the day we would once again chat over a brew for so long.  But even as long as it has been, we haven't lost a step.  The pints and the stories start to flow.

I've come to Swansea to see Jamie and Sarah be married.  By about the third beer, the future Mrs. Morris joins us and the reminiscing continues.  We talk about the "good ol' days" in Florida and the good ones to come.  I can't stop smiling.  They say when you fall in love you just know.  Well, I've never been in love but I'd say it's equally true that when you know two people who are in love you can just tell.  Looking at these two from across the table I am so thrilled to be in the presence of true love.

After downing several more glasses, we head to their home and the real drinking begins.  Jamie retrieves two tall cans of Carling from the kitchen for us and a glass of wine for Sarah.  Every few minutes, it seems, Jamie is returning from the kitchen with two fresh cans.  It doesn't take long for the guitar to come out and a heartfelt rendition of "Stand by Me" is performed by the burly Welshman.

I feel very croeso in Abertawe.