I met my husband in the summer of 2014. I was twenty-one, working full-time for the State of Missouri, and raising my eighteen-month-old daughter on my own. Her donor had chosen not to be involved, so being a single mom and working left me little time to date. I turned to online dating, but I set strict rules for myself I wouldn’t respond to anyone who didn’t put effort into conversation. One morning, a simple “Hey” caught my attention, and despite my rule, something in my gut made me reply.
We quickly exchanged numbers there was no way we could text while I was chasing a toddler. That night, after my evening shift, we met in a town a little ways from where I lived. I was nervous since he lived more than two hours away, but the moment we started talking, all my nerves melted. We spent the night driving around, just talking, laughing, and enjoying each other’s company.sharing stories, laughing, and discovering a connection that felt natural, like we had known each other for years. By the end of the night, he asked me to be his girlfriend, and I said yes. Even though his job required him to travel out of state for weeks at a time, we talked constantly and eagerly awaited weekends together. I met his family, went to races, and began to feel that this could be something lasting.
Soon, I asked if I could go with him on one of his trips.With his consent, we packed everything and spent six weeks in an extended-stay hotel in Wichita It was the first real stretch of time we spent together, and it solidified our bond. While there, he surprised me with an engagement proposal in a friend’s backyard. He was so anxious that he took hold of the incorrect hand, and I was utterly astonished but naturally, I agreed. Following a brief job in Iowa and some employment in New Orleans, we rented a small trailer during my pregnancy with our second child
We debated whether to live in a camper or a house once the baby arrived and decided on a cozy two-story house near his father’s town. Most of the houses we considered were perfect, but the choice felt right, and we settled in, even as he continued to travel for work.
Pregnancy came with its own challenges. He was frequently out of state, and I filled my time with preparing for the baby, making decorations, and managing life with a two-year-old. In August, the doctor noticed I wasn’t growing as expected and scheduled an ultrasound. We had our first real disagreement about his attendance he hated missing work, but I insisted he be there. He came, and the ultrasound revealed our daughter had the cord around her neck. She had stopped growing but was otherwise healthy. I was completely overwhelmed with relief and thankfulness. Six weeks later, we married in a small ceremony, celebrating our love and family, even leaving our wedding early to attend a local Halloween party for fun.
Life settled into a rhythm of parenting, long-distance work, and managing a growing family. I started redoing furniture at night, which turned into a thriving crafting business. We experienced heartbreak with a miscarriage, but six months later, we were blessed with another daughter. Alongside the joy, there were legal struggles with visitation rights for my oldest, but eventually, her biological father signed over his rights, and my husband formally adopted her. Our family was becoming whole, though challenging circumstances tested our resilience.
I became pregnant once more, just as we were preparing to move permanently into our camper. I dealt with a high-risk pregnancy, winter cold, and four kids in tow, yet we managed. Our son was born healthy, and the transition into RV life allowed us to live as a family every night together. Traveling across Illinois, Minnesota, and beyond, we built memories of campfires, fishing, hiking, and laughter, teaching our children about adventure and the beauty of the world. Even during the pandemic, when work was unpredictable and I was alone with multiple children, we relied on faith, resourcefulness, and teamwork.
Eventually, we purchased a flip house and renovated it while navigating new pregnancies and newborn care. Our lives were hectic but purposeful. Despite challenges, including managing work, homeschooling, and family travel, we found joy in being together. We celebrated milestones, supported each other, and embraced each adventure as a family.
Through every curveball miscarriages, pregnancies on the road, long work hours, and legal challenges—we remained committed. Our family grew, not just in numbers, but in love, resilience, and shared memories. Now, as we plan our forever home on a farm, I look back and see that the journey, with all its obstacles and triumphs, taught me that anything worth having requires patience, hard work, and unwavering dedication. With my husband by my side and our children thriving, I am filled with gratitude and excitement for the next chapter of our life together.
