This is destiny.

This post will be a segue topic but I promise we will get back our usual programing in up coming days.

 

I met Ethan on the eve of my 17th birthday. We talked about what we wanted out of life and some of the avenues in order to get there. From that night on I’ve not ceased to be amazed or impressed by my husband. Whether it was the days he lived in bike shorts  or the years he spent working and going to school full time or those early months in the military, he has always been amazing. Dedicated is a word I would use to describe him along with loyal, generous, intelligent and loving but more than any illustrative definition Ethan is my soulmate. It’s cliché but I know in the depths of my being that had I settled I never would have reached my full potential. You see, Ethan being my soulmate is self betterment as much as it is love. He pushes me and drives me to be the best mother, wife, daughter and Christian that I can be. I care deeply about his opinion and there are very few things I could recall where he was wrong. I write this, in a public blog, both to honor him and reflect. This month Ethan and I will celebrate 8 years of marriage. Honestly, not many people thought we would get this far. We have though and when I look into his eyes I still see that boy with the crazy curly hair and a love for spandex cycling shorts.

 

With our centenary approaching we were excited to have a few dates while his family was in town. What do skoolie people do on dates? Go to Ikea. You guys I’m not sure how we did it but we only bought a high chair and some toys. I kid you not. When we weren’t looking at particle board furniture we were eating. For me going out to eat can be both a challenge  and a disappointment. Most restaurants do not have a vegan option and we they do it could be little more than a side salad. Thankfully we found an astounding, purely vegan restaurant in downtown Kansas City, Mo. Füd was delicious and we highly recommend it to both herbivores and omnivores. If vegan isn’t something you’re into how about a date to Manhattan, Ks and have yourself a Chipotle bowl. Seriously, our dates mostly consisted of eating and window shopping. Ethan is a good sport. All that time wasn’t spent eating in silence though, there is no topic as interesting to discuss as skoolie ideas. I’m not sure that our visiting family will ever know how helpful it was for Ethan and I to have some uninterrupted bus talks while they watched all 5 of the kidoes.

 

 

 

Now with a much treasured reprieve we are ready to hit the ground running but not with out the proper warm weather gear. My husband is very much entertained by the fact that I’m wearing a vest. I ribbed him and our buddy Wade at every opportunity over their matching vests because I thought they were useless. I have been converted and see the practicality of a core warmer. The coveralls are both sexy and functional. No longer will we be freezing our buns off in our heat suck shell of a bus. The added adorable factor that we are matching has not been lost on me.

 

Ultimately the best thing about me is you, Ethan Tingle. Thank you for going on this journey with me.

 

Our universe grants every soul a twin—a reflection of themselves—the kindred spirit – And no matter where they are or how far away they are from each other—even if they are in different dimensions, they will always find one another. This is destiny; this is love.
Julie Dillon