I've been around in the lifestyle since I was 16 or so - I'm past 60 now. I've known a few girls - never been one for quantity, I've always preferred quality. The relationships I've had have been intense and sweet. Life intruded - careers and the like - which pulled relationships apart in the past.

For all that the initial relationship with "c" has collapsed, something good has come out of it. Something better than good.

So this thread isn't a thread as much as a tribute to the two girls who I found while trying to establish a poly relationship with the one who is gone.

I met two girls - rosebud and twilight. They are very different in some ways - and very similar in others. For those of you who have read thrall's piece on clusters - that happened with both rosebud and twilight...not just from my end - but from theirs as well. I feel like I have known both of them all my life - and have been searching for them all my life as well. They complete me - a feeling I've never had before.

I just can't imagine life without both of them in my life. I'm not speaking as a dominant - I'm speaking as a man who has fallen in love with the two most wonderful girls I have ever had the joy of meeting. A man who has fallen deeply and completely in love with two women who make my heart sing, add bounce to my step and make my days shine. They are my family...rosie/twilight/Whippett - twilight/rosie/Whippett - Whippet and his two most special and wonderful ladies...beautiful girls whose smiles make me feel like I could take on the world and win.

Rosie, Twilight - thank you both for being in my life, for giving me a joy and contentment I've never had before in over 60 years of life. I love you both with everything I am and will ever be, and look forward to spending the rest of my life loving you both and being loved by you both - a family! My family - incomplete without both of you in it!

Girls, the sun rises, fresh in the glow of your smiles. My heart is reborn in the sounds of your laughter, the gentle cadence of your voices. My life is given meaning by the touch and sounds and scents of your presence.

Both loved, equally. I am defined, I define myself, in the love I have for both of you; in the love you give me back so sweetly.

Rosebud-Twilight / Twilight-Rosebud: the two women I have waited all my life to find. Thank you both for loving me, for coming into my life, for being who you are: sisters to each other, the loves of my life. Each year that passes will be a joy and pleasure - basking in your love - loving you both with all that I am and will ever be. Both of you are so very vital and needed - now - 10 years from now - and for as long as I draw breath (and I intend to be around for a very long time, girls, a very long time indeed!).

I just want and need to say this as publicly as I know how. Rosebud, Twilight, I need you both in my life. I need your love and presence each and every day to feel whole. And I thank you both with all I am that you feel the same about me.

Thank you both for loving me, for consenting to be my girls.

Until the stars grow cold, and time ends, I will love you and need you in my life, my left and right, my front and back, my partners, lovers and so very cherished loves.