Let’s take it back to 2015. That’s when I met Ryan. It’s insane to realize as I’m writing this that we’ve been together for 10 years, married almost 9 years. That’s right, we got engaged and married within less than a year of being together. I was definitely wondering at the time if I was making a good choice. Marriage is a HUGE deal, right?! But as the old saying goes, “when you know, you know”. I’m so happy to be able to say I actually had it right.

We met on a random day at work of all places. I say that because we didn’t actually work together, just for the same company. I met his uncle, dad, and brother (they worked at the same company too) before I ever knew he even existed. He just showed up one day because he was training with his uncle at the location I worked at for a new position within the company. The stars didn’t align for us that day though. It was a few months later when I decided to add him on Facebook. Sadly, he didn’t even remember who I was when I added him! As you can see, he was clearly interested in remembering (LOL).

When we started spending time together, I was a lost soul wandering in every direction. I was partying, broke, without a car because it had just gotten totaled by someone else, and honestly miserable. I was putting on a good show so nobody would know. I didn’t think I stood a chance with someone like him. He was handsome, stable, responsible, and the calm my storm was looking for.

I’m actually really lucky I didn’t screw things up because I decided to put him to a test.. I loved going out dancing and he didn’t go out, like ever. So when he asked me to be his girlfriend, I asked him to go out dancing with me to see if he would fit with the lifestyle I was living. If he said no, I was calling it quits (craaazzy, I know). To my surprise, he went with me! I’m SO thankful he did, not because I got my way, but because I know my trail took a turn in a MUCH better direction the day I met him and it’s scary to think where I’d be now if I would’ve chosen to turn back the other direction.

Once we made things official in June 2015, he drove almost 2 hours to pick my carless self up and take me out to dinner. He continuously showed me how much he cared about me and quickly became my best friend. By April 2016, we were husband and wife. We immediately purchased our first home and began creating a beautiful life together full of coffee, laughter, back porch sunsets, and going to rodeos and concerts. God has blessed us with two beautiful daughters and countless memories over the years. It’s been a wild ride since I put him to the test in 2015. I’ve since learned that dancing around our kitchen surrounded by our children is far better than dancing in a bar full of drunk people. I’ll never have it any other way.

So all that to say, when God gives you two turns to choose from on your trail, don’t almost screw up like I did by giving this man an ultimatum he wasn’t even aware of at the time (he knows now). I thank God daily for that unexpected optional turn on my trail. It led me straight to this Heaven-sent man I get to call my husband.