Rich History

On the 9th of September 2019, something happened that changed the entire course of my life.
The story of how it all came to be is multi faceted and difficult to write, but I hope to be able to address each side in future posts. 
That day was scary for me. My 2 youngest kiddos and I had come here expecting to begin a new life, just to have things not work out. Again.
We'd been staying in motels but the money was quickly running out. I needed to do something fast but was unsure as to where to look.
During the evening of the 8th, I made a profile on a dating app. I was so lonely and had told myself I just wanted to be able to talk to someone, to find friends, etc. To this day, I'm not sure if that was me being honest or if I was looking for a miracle. Either way, I got both.
I saw a photo a a tremendously handsome man. He had the bluest eyes that seemed to look right through me. 
My rule was that I never initiated a conversation. 
I broke that rule for those eyes.
We started chatting and I learned that this man's name was Rod. I quickly found that he was a great conversationalist and had a funny streak that didn't make me the slightest bit uncomfortable. We quickly moved from the app to text messages. Text and voice messages were sent back and forth. I was packing up my car, again, to try and find us something of permanence. Then my phone started randomly dialing his number. 
I am still not sure how that happened. 
But... His voice! Oh lordy he had a voice like butter on toast. Smooth and melty with deep undertones of something I wasn't sure how to identify. Nothing bad, in fact it was quite the opposite. 
I discovered he worked at the VA and he learned I was a veteran. There were brief pauses in the conversation due to what I was trying to do that day.
I hadn't told him I was homeless and was trying desperately to find something more permanent for myself and my girls.
It was a day that was packed so tightly with emotion that some details are blurry, but here is the basic rundown.
I went to the VA for some guidance, only to discover that there wasn't much to be had. They directed me to the women's shelter. I found out that we would have to be in line at 4 p.m. every day to try and get a space, then be completely out the door by 8 a.m. the next morning. Rinse and repeat. 
My mood was tanking fast, but I tried hard to be upbeat for my girls and so Rod wouldn't find out how low our station really was.
I credit the Lord for the following mistake I made.
I was talking to him on the phone and without thinking, I paused our conversation and asked the girls where they wanted to stay that night. His response was instant.
"Are you homeless?"
Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit
Welp, nothing like a little honesty mixed with some high gloss to try and fix that whoopsie.
"Yes, but we won't be for long. I am never down for long."
What happened next was the part that literally changed everything for me, my kids, his kids and ex-wife, and him.
He invited us to come stay and figure it out in the morning. 
Now, Rod has taught me many things. The most impactful one is that there are 3 sides to everything... My side, their side and the truth.
I had been practicing that for a while without realizing it, but having it said out loud was a blast of pure oxygen.
I remember the conversation one way and he remembers it differently. Lol
The end result is still the same though 
The girls and I went to his home. The girls full of skepticism and me desperately hoping I wasn't making the biggest mistake of my life.
Pulling into his driveway, his daughter Haley was waiting outside with the biggest grin and the most striking features. She greeted me with a huge hug. He was right behind Haley, giving me a hug and a smile that melted me right down through the soles of my shoes.
Good LORD, but this man is gorgeous!!!
We had a wonderful meal that Haley had cooked and got settled in to the room we would stay in. It was a very tight fit. 
It felt like I couldn't get my story out fast enough. I was terrified and frantic. He was calm and accepting. Going to bed that night, I felt a relief and reassurance that I struggled to hold on to. 

The end result of that day is today... Rod and I are married. He has three children that I adore. My children love him and even started calling him Dad. Those that have SO's are learning that my heart is big enough to love them unconditionally and fully, no matter what. I became an instant granny the day we married and now I am going to be an actual granny!!!!
My life is absolutely everything I have ever wanted, hoped for, prayed for, wishes for... Everything I have ever dreamed of. Peace and love reign in our home. We still have some issues, but it is never between us. Our foundation is love and every single person who enters our circle feels it.
We are blessed beyond belief and I am so humbled by it all.
Love really does change everything. 

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