Serendipity ...

I wasn’t born in the small town where I grew up and still to this day live, however my parents moved here straight after I entered the world so for me it’s home and has always been.

I never have thought of moving away, even after beauty school I came right back to town. I’m not cut out for the rat race of living in a big city. I always wanted to start my own life right here, at home, where I had always been. The main reason I choose to stay in this small town is because it contains my amazing Mom and all my non related family. All the people I love, some I’ve know my entire life. Members of my moms church that befriended my parents faster then the post office could do our change of address. Forever Friends I met over the years growing up and attending all my years of schooling here. People who became my friends through my son playing sports and other hobbies. A lot I have met through the many years being behind the chair, building my clientele as a stylist. I refer to all clients as friends. Even if we part ways as stylist and client, doesn’t mean our friendship has to end. There’s plenty of business to go around and tons of shear slinging talent in this small town. I like to think I know almost everyone somehow after all my years here, that’s impossible but I’ll say I do anyway... I have an abundance of great friends. People in general are important to me. I like to stay in touch, check in if it’s been a while since I’ve seen or heard from someone. I value friendship, I always have. My gang of gals from younger years are still living local. A few did wander away for marriage or careers, but still visit frequently. Most like me stayed happily where planted or have willing returned to raise their own family. We all get together for Holidays or really any occasion we can. We have been friends longer then not. Twenty plus years and counting, my best guy friend included. I don’t have a brother and my dad beats to his own drum, but I had my best guy friend, God blessed me with that.  He’s watched out for me always, he made sure I had the perfect chair for rocking my newborn son to sleep, he helped move my family to our new home when grandma fell ill, he painted all the walls in that house. My sons room as well to compliment the hockey theme decor. He was a one man show scrubbing the entire pool at my family’s new place so it was all ready for a summer of swimming. He was and still is a stand up dude and great friend. He has a dry sarcastic humor which is probably why we tend to get along so well. I appreciate dry sarcasm, I have been know to be a little dry or sarcastic myself at times. Imagine that ? My best guy friend did flee to the west coast for a short minute immediately following high school but we always stayed in touch. I even made sure my boyfriend at the time knew we would be stopping to visit him when we took a trip in that direction. He’s my friend, no reason to give that up for a boyfriend or because of distant. It wasn’t long and he returned back to town. He was happily sporting a hot blonde California girl on his arm. Lucky for me, Cali girl was totally okay with me needing my sarcastic friend every now and then. The two of us even  hit it off and became friends. She is hands down one of the kindest humans I know, she was blessed with a soul meant for motherhood. She is someone I adore and cherish. She is practically family to me (she will officially be family once I’m married). She’s so amazing at first I was sure he kidnapped her! Either way Cali girl is living life in this small town with her man and together they produced some of the best looking humans your eyes will ever see... not just one or two either...but three! (Those 3 kiddos have always been extra special to me.) Cali girl seems to have grown accustom to her surroundings. She’s been living here over 10 years now. She deeply loves that friend of mine, he and her were meant to be. It turns out he’s one of those men that on top of being a great friend, He’s also a devoted father and an outstanding husband. Their souls align making for the perfect love story... I know you’re waiting for me to tell you if he has a brother... He does, a few actually.  One sister too, she’s the oldest of the crew. 

The youngest brother is falling in love as we speak. A gorgeous brunette noticed his charm, I hope one day he makes her his queen. A precious little girl holds the key to the heart of a brother already, good luck trying to compete with that, she’s only one and has her daddy wrapped around her finger. Sister is married, raising a little boy with no close in age other siblings. That little Boy’s sister is already grown, with a crown herself, a King and their own home. So that leaves one last remaining brother. That brother has his little princess mini, he’s in need of a queen that he can love, honor and cherish... Calm down... he’s done looking. He already chose a lady to crown and sit along side him at his throne ... Yep sorry, He’s found his match rather quickly... 

It’s ME! So back off, he’s spoken for already! No need to go back and reread anything, I DID previously say... “I never need to get remarried”, “I don’t need a husband”, “I may stay single forever” and then as usual God had a way different plan for me.

Sorry for that long introduction... Now the story can actually begin...

July 2017, the start of my second year living on my own. I was single, happy, loving life and my son was just as pleased with our little family of two as me... Then again sometimes when you least expect...life just happens... Anyone that knows me, knows I love people. I love to know their story and their struggle. I love to praise their turn arounds and success. I have been through a lot in my life (not as tragic or altering as some people have, I’m aware). I thrive on brightening someone else’s day. I know from experience the smallest gesture, the most random act of kindness, care or concern can mean so much to someone. It can change a persons whole day.

I knew King Rio was coming back home to start over. The youngest brother had mentioned it in conversation a few months prior when we were catching up and chatting about what everyone was up to in life. My heart hurt for King Rio. I wasn’t close to him growing up, he’s 8 years younger, He was just a kid when my best guy friend and I were in high school. I knew him enough though to know that if he was walking away from his marriage it probably was past fixing. I had been in that same spot 4 years earlier and I knew that pain and heartache. I also, however, was on the other side of it all by then, so without a second thought I sent King Rio a short little “been thinking of you, hope you’re doing okay, just be the dad your little girl needs” message, he replied with a “thank you” and asked how my son and me were doing. King Rio and I chatted off and on for months, only ever as friends, sharing the highlights of our day, stories about life, marriage, work and the heartache of divorce with kids in the mix. King Rio shared the same positive outlook on things as I did. I reminded him how lucky his mini was to have him as a dad. He praised me for being a hardworking mom. It was nothing out of the ordinary, just two friends sending positive vibes in each other’s direction. I would have sent that little message of positivity to anyone that I thought needed it. I have! I never get a negative response. Try it for yourself and see! King Rio returned to town that summer after serving 9 years in the military. Rio had joined the military following high school. He could have easily attended a fancy university or tech school and probably passed every exam without even doing an assignment. He’s seriously brilliant! He’s a genius, I shit you not, he has an IQ of 140 and reads 700 words per minute. You will probably never hear him talk about his intelligence or his many accomplishments as a Marine. That’s not like him to brag, he isn’t someone that needs praise for his beyond average smarts or for doing his duty serving our country. He served because he chose to simple as that. He knew since the age of 10 that he wanted to enlist, he knew it wouldn’t be an easy job but the challenge was part of what made it all worth it. Rio’s parents signed all the needed forms so he could be on his way just 4 days after graduation. At 17, Rio wasn’t even old enough to vote and now he was official property of The United States government. It was just a few weeks later he turned 18, there was no party or celebration he was in recruit training busy focused on his childhood dream. When those 13 weeks of training were completed successfully he was standing proud in his deltas. He was now a member of The United States Marine Corp. In those 9 years of service Rio was deployed 3 times, celebrated most holidays and birthdays away from home with no family or close friends in sight. He became a man, a leader, and a life line to the injured in his path. He slept in the dirt or when it was hot and miserable on top of his military humvee.  He served his country proudly, seeing things most of us wouldn’t ever be able to handle. He traveled to third world countries, fought for all of us to have our freedom and did it willingly without any regret. It was no walk in the park, still he made the most he could out of situations. He never let the bad outweigh the good. He met life long friends, He earned his EMT. He trained and excelled in helicopter fire rescue. He even managed to fall in love and get married. He was over the moon with pride to became a dad. That little princess mini giving him more joy then anything else in life ever had. She was brilliant from birth with a brain just like her dad. She has his same soft blue eyes, blonde hair and easy going personality. The two of them have a bond every Dad and daughter should have. She’s his little mini, she adores and loves her dad. She’s been his little mini since birth going anywhere and everywhere her dad would go... However, as we all know, some cards don’t play out as planned. Rio was dealt a shitty hand.  Life changed for him in one quick flip... Rio’s return back to this small town was a one way single ticket. He, per his own request, was honorably discharged as a Marine. He was getting divorced. He was concerned about his mini if he stayed enlisted. When would he get to see her? He needed to be free to make his own travel plans and ensure his little mini regular visits. He said goodbye to his military days. He thought best to start over back home, everything he owned packed in his car, he left the only life as an adult he had ever known. The other half of his heart and soul was sadly headed in the opposite direction, a thousand miles away. His little mini was going with mom back to her home state. I know it wasn’t what he wanted, I know it crushed him to not have his little mini with him everyday. He found a way to make the best of the worst situation. He couldn’t sit in sadness. He couldn’t let the distance get in the way. His mini was never gonna be let down by her Dad. He hit the ground running. He had responsibilities, he had to ensure his mini had everything she would need to have. 

He worked whenever possible and saved everything he could. He didn’t spend a dime unless absolutely necessary. He was still sporting his high school wardrobe at 27, he had been in uniform for so long he never thought new clothes were that necessary. Now a civilian he just wanted to stash away every cent he could. He needed that thousand mile plane ticket and a face to face refueling of his heart and soul with his one and only little girl. I was glad King Rio was returning home to his siblings, his dad, his G-ma Fran, his other grandparents and his best high school buddy. His best buddy had also served as a Marine. Divorce is a hard thing. His families support would be good to have. Rio is part of an amazing family. A family I have known and been included a part of for 20 plus years even though I hold no real relation.(well not yet anyway). Starting over in life can be scary and worrisome. I knew that first hand, and being that I was starting my second year of being a better me, I wanted to offer King Rio any help I could or just be a listening ear and friend. King Rio had been back in town only one day. I offered to buy the newly somewhat “homeless” veteran lunch and we met in town. We sat at that table eating, talking, and laughing for over an hour. Seven years had passed since I had taken my son and the youngest brother to visit the Mom in Cali. King Rio was in the military at the time, stationed close by, and we got to see him while visiting Mom. A lot had happened since then. We had tons of catching up to do. We spent the whole next week doing just that. I loved listening to him talk, I love the sound of his voice, even with his hard permanent tone (He always sounds a little mad, he never really is, it’s just his tone). I knew there was no way we were going to just be “friends” if we kept spending all that time together and I had a feeling he knew the same thing. I also knew that Rio was the brother of my best guy friend. Rio was the son of the woman who was like a mom to me, she had named my only child! (That’s a pretty serious bond we share). Visiting her in Cali was the only vacation I ever took, her home always welcomed my family and me a free place to stay, enjoy, and make forever memories. I knew all that and It weighed so heavy on my heart. All I could think of was all the hurt and harm that could happen if we started something and things didn’t work out. It was constantly on my mind! It seemed so selfish and wrong to even think of King Rio in such a way, but why then was I so smitten by him?!?! Why was a future with him so easy to imagine? Why was I able to tell him all of my life story without worrying about him judging me? Why after finally accepting that being single was just fine did I crave conversation with this potentially risky King? I prayed and prayed that my intense interest would subside. It didn’t. So I did something I had never done before (something I had learned that past year adulting). I voiced my thoughts and concerns to Rio. His response was all I needed. “I will never hurt you, I will never lie to you, and if I am not happy I will tell you”. Yes, I know that everyone has said those things and it isn’t always what they do. When Rio said those things to me though I knew he meant it. He is a loyal man. He is honest, a man that stays true to his word. A man you can always count on to be there for you! Maybe never exactly on time, he tends to always run late. Still though no matter what he’s always game to lend a hand or help save the day. He is truly everything I will ever need and probably a little more then I can handle on some days. He’s a devoted father to his mini and the stellar roll model I wanted for my son. He adores the shit out of me and loves me to death! He never questions my crazy ideas and supports me in everything I do (this blog included, he even insisted that I have my own “.com” and set it all up for me too!). I can’t imagine life being much better then it is since the day he took that I-40 exit. I had spent the last year saying “I don’t need a husband” and that was the honest truth I don’t need a husband! I need a King! A loyal and strong King with an open mind, caring heart and humble soul. King Rio is exactly what my life was lacking, he was what I needed to fill my soul...

I was working on the best version of me. I was being a supportive friend with a listening ear. I wasn’t looking for love and I definitely didn’t expect it to come straight off exit 51 and find me. It did though. It found me and consumed me until I knew I was meant to acknowledge it. I love my King with every ounce of my heart and soul.  I love his level headed outlook on life. I love his ability to keep calm when most people would lose their temper. I love his commitment to provide for our family. I love that he has built a relationship with my son and my son knows he can always count on him. I love his appreciation for simple things, we are totally on the same page about what’s most important in our life and for our kids. I love the pride in his voice when he introduces me to anybody. I love that even though I don’t expect it he always puts our kids and me first. I love that he loves with his heart and not his eyes, I could have any hair do, long or short, be skinny or have a muffin top falling over my jeans and My King would only see love, beauty, happiness and bow to me regardless. I can say that cause I know it’s true. I know exactly how much my King loves me, I can feel it, it radiates off him when he looks at me from across the room. I didn’t plan on ever being “in love” again and now I know why I never had it all when I had been “in love” before... It’s your soulmate that’s required to be IN LOVE and have it ALL... I love you King Rio. Forever and always I’m yours ....