> Brunnen-G told me later (on the way back to the airport the next day to pick up Sam and Leen) that she had been nearly in a panic waiting for me, because she was so scared and excited about meeting us all and wondering if we'd like her and if she'd like *us* and how everything would work out.

No, I *knew* I'd like *them*. I was scared they wouldn't like *me*. :-)

> the first of *my* special gifts--a pair of beautiful blue United Airlines socks. She laughed and threw them in the boot (known to we Americans as "the trunk") and that was pretty much the last I saw of those socks...
>a delightfully tacky (and tiny) Colorado license plate keychain with her name on it, and a rubber ball that had lights and stuff in it. She was amused, and put the gifts somewhere, and that was pretty much the last I saw of *those*

HEY! That delightfully tacky tiny license plate was on my keyring the whole time we were travelling around! What did you think was making that irritating jingly noise every time we drove somewhere? And those socks are in my sock drawer even as I type this, just waiting for winter to roll around again and provide me with sock-wearing opportunities!

> It was here, however, that Brunnen-G silently paid me the greatest compliment any woman ever has. She showed her immense trust in me by walking into a pitch black cave alone with me without hesitation and seemingly without worry.

Yes, I'm afraid I have to destroy everybody's fondest delusion. Sensitive souls, don't read this, but ... *whisper* ... in real life, our very own chix0r-hunting and hormone-crazed Dave is a ... GENTLEMAN.

>I repaid that great trust by only grabbing her butt once. Ok, so that was when we were on the hillside in broad daylight. And it wasn't a grab, I just sort of ran into her by mistake. But still.

Ok, a clumsy gentleman. But a gentleman, nonetheless. ;-)