By the end of this week (22 April 2025), I’ll be “loaded up, and truckin'” (a la Jerry Reed) towards Edmonds, WA from Tempe, AZ.

That statement begs the question, “How did I get from leaving my home state of Washington which I lived for 40 plus years, moving to Arizona, only to return to Washington two years later?” I’ll tell you why …

In August 2024, my burgeoning relationship with Principal Jen really had traction. At this point, we had successfully shared space for two weeks, we exchanged the sentimental phrase “I love you”, and several trips had been planned for visits in either Seattle or Phoenix for the remainder of 2024. So it wasn’t a vacationship, and certainly couldn’t be a situationship, we concluded it was a relationship.

In November 2024, right about her birthday trip we started talking about our long term, and long distance relationship. Our long distance relationship could survive several months, maybe even a year. Despite our frequent visits, to be honest she visited me here 3x more often, than my 1 trip up north, it still wasn’t enough for either of us.

We wanted to be loved AND be in love with one another, which did happen.

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Who’s Going Where?

Finding love later in life is quite possible and even beneficial, offering companionship, improved well-being, and a renewed sense of purpose. While it may present its unique challenges, including dealing with past experiences and potential concerns about aging, it’s also easier to identify a fulfilling relationship.

My co-worker, perhaps even friend, Steve Kim, is quick to analyze most situations, and my relationship with Jen was no different.

Los, who’s going where? Is she moving here? Or are you returning home?

I left the question unanswered for a moment or two. I replied with, “I dunno yet, but as you summarized accurately, but we will haveta decide on that soonish.”

He had an impish smile. “Based on what I know about you, and Jen, my money’s on you.”

I winked, “Time will tell.”

Follow The Money

Since Principal Jen is a #tanlinesandgoodtimes kinda girl, and being Tisoy, I am a child of the sun, we really wanted her to move down here to Arizona and join me. After a cursory look at the the job market for principals in Arizona schools, that ended with the average salary not in the Top 10 States, we concluded that Jen couldn’t, shouldn’t and wouldn’t take a pay-cut like that. And after discovering that Washington was leading the way in average annual salaries, it was clear: Jen is not moving to Arizona.

At least, not yet.

PS – I have not, and will not ask what she earns per year.

I’ve already established that I can make the same amount of money with Costco whether in Washington or Arizona by virtue of my job transfer 2 years ago. So returning to Washington would ensure my salary would be the same in either state. Now that we followed the money and established that …

Family First

One of our first, shared core values was: Family First. Her family lives in Washington State, the family I have state-side is, also in Washington [Dad lives in the Philippines, Mom passed away 20 some odd years ago] I will not, and would not, ask a mother to separate herself from her children for me. Not that she would!

On December 1st, my Tabula Rasa Day Declaration was simple: Get to Jen.

I didn’t make a wide sweeping announcement, but my heart was stamped with it. Also my early Christmas gift from Jen was a leather bound journal to scribble my zany thoughts and plans. The first entry was the dedication page from Jen, but MY first entry was the same as my Tabula Rasa Day Declaration: Get To Jen.

While looking into camera of my 2021 M1 chip powered iMac 24-inch monitor, I asked the inevitable question, “When do I get to you, now that we’ve established who’s going where?”

Principal Jen paused with a look of disbelief. She answered, “Whenever you want, my Love.”

“Well that would be as soon as possible,” I grumbled. “That said, I project middle to end of May. Definitely before June 1st. Either date, we’ve gotta play the long game.”

I repeated myself, “If we play the long game, the short game takes care of itself.”

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April Showers Bring May Flowers

Between Jen and I, we had trips planned through March 2025. My final vacation plan without Jen was the Dance Cruise at end of March, going into April. I decided I would submit my transfer request after the cruise.

It seemed like a logical choice, being there and established before the school year end. Especially considering that every June would be uber crazy for Jen, and ridiculously hot in Arizona.

I did what I needed to do to ensure the best position of an accepted transfer request. In my experience, of two successful transfers within Costco, management support is absolutely crucial.

No amount of accolades, or awards, or clean records will ever match a phone call to/from management that is your biggest cheerleader! For the third time, in my Costco career my transfer request was accepted.

Jen hasn’t experienced anything like this, naturally she had questions, such as, “What does that mean for you, for me, for us?”

I smirked, “It means we have the controls of our future from here on out, baby doll.”

“And?” she pressed.

“Here’s a suggestion, ” I let the words trail off. The spark is her blue eyes never shown so bright. I concluded with, “If the plan goes accordingly, I’ll be under the same roof as you by end of April. And that’s no joke.”