DEAR ANNIE: I have been dating an amazing woman for about six months. She is smart, kind, funny and beautiful, and I honestly think she could be “the one.” We get along great — except for one small thing that has started to feel like a big one. She absolutely hates the snow.
I, on the other hand, live for it. I am a lifelong skier and still compete in local races on the weekends. Winter is my favorite time of year. I grew up in the mountains, and the smell of cold air and the crunch of fresh snow under my boots make me feel alive.
She grew up in Florida, and to her, snow is something to look at from inside a cozy cabin, not something to barrel down a mountain in. When I talk about race days, powder conditions or waxing skis, her eyes glaze over. I tried taking her to a ski weekend once, but she was miserable — cold, anxious and counting the minutes until we could go home.
I do not expect her to suddenly love skiing, but I also do not want to give it up. It is a big part of who I am. I keep wondering if this is something we can laugh about and live with, or if it means we are just built for different seasons of life.
Can a skier and a snow-hater really make it work? — Snowbound and Smitten
DEAR SNOWBOUND AND SMITTEN: Plenty of happy couples don’t share every passion. They just learn to dress for the weather. You love the mountains; she loves being warm. That’s not a dealbreaker. It’s just a difference in thermostat settings.
Go ski. Let her stay cozy by the fire with a book. Then meet in the middle for hot chocolate and nachos. The best relationships aren’t about identical interests but mutual respect.
If you can cheer each other on, even from opposite ends of the ski lodge, you’re in good shape. Love, after all, is its own kind of adventure.
Send your questions for Annie Lane to [email protected].
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