November 27, 2025

In 1995 I was broken, wounded, and making my way through the world one day at a time. My split shift at the time was the 407 Gilbert to Steveston Village, and then the 402 Vancouver from there. My first stop was on Cook at No. 3 Road westbound. One day, you got on my bus, paid your fare, and walked back to the middle of the bus, and sat down on the driver’s side, just out of view. I was sly. I wanted to talk to you, to make your acquaintance, and so I said a few words to explore your demeanor. You responded. I talked a little quieter, you moved up to the talk seat. We chatted some more. You got off on Gilbert at Westminster Hwy southbound, and off you went to work at that warehouse job. Some days past, perhaps weeks, and this brief visit happened. I was happy. I had a friend for the next 2-3 months until my shift changed. All was well. But then, one day, I left the yard early, to get away from the noise and exhaust of all them buses. They still had printed newspapers back then, and I had a digital sign on my bus. I arrived and parked a block shy of No. 3 Road, and opened my paper to read. I could see up ahead, to the bus shelter, and saw you sitting there. No matter. So you were there, so what? Well, then a 401 One Road came and went, and still you sat. Another 407 Gilbert came and went, and there you sat… and you coulda taken either of those… but there you sat, and I thought, hmmm and perhaps a not so subtle “oh no!” crossed my mind. I leaned over, changed my signage from Not in Service, to 407 Gilbert, started my bus, and drove down the block to see, you suddenly jump up, acting like you just got there, not knowing what you’d just given away. And I proceeded, somewhat scared to death. Assuring myself that I would disappear in 2-3 months… Well, this is a long story that you know all about already. Its one of my favourite stories to tell. Things went from bad to worse for the fellow who thought he could safely stay alone in the world, but from good to much better for the young man who didn’t want his life to be over, who needed a special somebody. I was both those confused things at the same time.

Soon you were catching my bus everyday. And I watched which bus you took to bus exchange, I think it was the 405 that stopped northbound at Cook on No 3 Road… but I would wait for that bus, whenever it was late… I don’t know if you noticed, but I do know on those days you hit the ground running for my bus, just around the corner from where you got off. And then sat yourself down for our little chat. Then there were days where you, brought me a paper to read. You picked up on that. And then a coffee from Seattle’s Best Coffee… that isn’t there anymore>

but back then, you and that coffee, with a to-go creamer and sugars, was there for me…. you were still getting to know me.

One day, when we got to Gilbert and Westminster Hwy Southbound, I pulled over, opened the door, no need to ring the bell… I knew where you got off… but you said ever so innocently, “Oh, I’m not getting off.” And so you had taken the day off, and would carry on with me.

But you’re still here. Through it all. I love you.

Well, you never left my side from that day on. You came with me from there, then to Burrard Station, then NIS to Oakridge Transit Centre, that isn’t there anymore. Then we went back to my apartment building, that isn’t there anymore, where I remember putting the laundry in the wash in the laundromat (that isn’t there anymore) just below my apartment, and we went for breakfast at Denny’s, I don’t know if that’s still there anymore? I made sure you paid for your own meal, and that’s another story. I listened carefully to your conversations to hear if you loved your mother or not, and you did, so that was a good thing. We spent the day together, you came along with me for my afternoon shift, it was a Cambie/Oak. I picked up that bus at 41^st and Cambie Northbound. As we waited, we stood just outside the 711 that isn’t there anymore, but that building beside it, with the black marble tiles, its still there… that’s where you leaned as I told you I just wanted to be friends, and you nodded your head, and agreed. We had fun that afternoon, and you enjoyed me kibitzing around with my passengers. You came home with me, we packed up my T-bird with some stuff for my new place in North Vancouver, and we had dinner there. You said that evening, “You have your place just the way I’d like it…” and told me that isn’t necessarily easy to do.

As I searched my heart about what to do with this lady who had suddenly appeared in my life, I asked God about it. But she’s not a Christian, Lord. He’s maybe like, “how do you know?” but anyways, Cheryl didn’t describe herself as that. You did say, “I’ve always wanted to go to church, but didn’t have anyone to go with.” And so. You came to church with me. You moved into my life, you came along side of me, and you’ve never left me. You’re still here. There’s lots of things, places, buildings that are not there anymore, but we are.

God built your faith, which in turn re-built mine. Every step of the way, he has brought us closer together, and sent us our young fellow, Ashton who continued on with more of the same glory to God salvation for us all.

I love you…. And like you said “…and still counting”