Copy Cat or Quirk?

I had been noticing that when Walter and I had discussions, there were times where his opinion or observation or comment was almost exactly what mine was, but I never thought twice about it.  'We're amazingly similar', I figured.  Excellent! :)

It wasn't until I sent a fairly heart-felt email to him that I realized how similar things actually were (and these are just three examples...there are many more)...

The comparison (what I wrote/his response)

I felt at home when I stepped into your apartment/it felt as though you had been to my apartment before...you were totally at home


You have a way of making me feel at ease/you make me feel at ease


When I think about how something that may bother you, you turn around and talk about it/you've taken things in stride that I thought may bother you


I love the quirks about you - shirts tucked in, cheesy song lyrics, safety goggles in the kitchen, OCD tendencies/things about you - hoodies, track pants, 2-in-the-morning hair...


I can't believe we've only known each other for 2.5 months and yet you've had an amazing impact on me/we've only known each other for 2.5 months, but it's been among the most joy-filled periods of my life


I look forward to bringing you as much happiness as you have brought to me/You've brought great joy to my life and I want to do everything I can to see you smile and know that you're happy.


If the conversation isn't convincing enough (for me, it caught me off guard and although I know his words are completely genuine, I felt like I had just read what I had written to him!), there's more...

When Walter arrived in the UK and came to watch me row (I had a series of races during the weekend he was in town), he had printed "Go, Anika, Go!" t-shirts for my friends and himself to cheer me on.  Where had I seen that before?  I know, it's the thought that counts, but still!

When Walter left Cambridge, what did he give me?  That's right, a stack of cards - one for every week we'd be apart until I finished my thesis.  Quirk or copy cat??

(Keep an open mind)