I am not sure this is the right time or place to confess, but here goes. For the past 31 years I have had an extra-marital relationship that has been very important to me. Ralf introduced me to this character in Calgary.   I am sure he didn’t realize then how important this introduction was going to be to me.

Shortly after Ralf and I were married we were separated due to his posting to Germany. I had to return to England and wait for him to find us an apartment. We were apart for over two months. This character shared my bed for those two months, he comforted me and listened to me talking about my wonderful new husband, as I waited for my reunion with my husband.

Every time Ralf went away I rekindled this relationship. I don’t know what I would have done without him during the first five years. When Ralf was away on exercise, I would share my bed with him.

When Ralf retired from the military and was driving for a transport company in  Ontario, he was away every other night.  I needed comfort and cuddled up to my long standing friend. There were times when I felt bad about my abuse of this relationship, what must he feel when I would use him and then when Ralf was home I would ignore him.

There were times when I didn’t need this relationship and would not have any contact with him. Last December we reunited after two years apart. Again Ralf was working nights and I needed the company.

Meet Flar – Ralf gave him to me in Calgary just before I took the flight back to England. I cuddled him on the flight back to England.

The confession is that I still sleep with a teddy bear. !! I grab hold of this furry bear every time Ralf is not home,  and I go to bed without Ralf.  If I wake up on hearing Ralf’s key in the lock, I put Flar back on the side table – sorry Flar I do love you, but not as much as I love Ralf.

For those smart ones among you, you will notice that Flar is Ralf spelt backward 🙂