a love story

There was this guy. He was in his early 40s. The classic cliche. Tall, dark and handsome. He was a hard worker. He had a wife. They were together over 20 years. Their lives were changed forever one night on their way home from her birthday dinner. They got in a car accident and she became paralyzed. Quadraplegic. At that time he was about 35. Life turned upside down in a split second. Life altered forever. Life different forever. He took care of his wife for 6 years until she passed away.

There was this girl. She was in her early 30s. Short, blond, and smart-assy. She was a hard worker. She had a husband and 3 kids. They were together about 14 years. Their lives were changed forever by divorce. At that time she was about 31. Life turned upside down. Life altered forever. Life different forever.

It was May of 1997. This guy lost his wife six months previously. He wasn’t looking for anybody. He wasn’t trying to get out and mingle. He was not in a hurry. HIs brother made him.

One of the waitresses was trying to set up the girl with this guy. The girl wanted nothing to do with him. She was content living her life. Single. She was not looking for anybody. She was not in a hurry.

There were several occasions when the girl was supposed to meet this guy and it just never happened. Time marched on. A few weeks later, destiny. The guy and the girl met. The classic cliche. In a bar. Except they were there to play outdoor volleyball. That was the reason they were there. They were on the same team. They had instant chemistry. They stayed up in the parking lot, talking all night. The girl couldn’t stop thinking about him. They guy couldn’t stop thinking about her. It was love at first sight.

By late fall, the guy asked the girl to marry him. She said yes. It was quick. They had a quickie wedding in Vegas, because why not? Everyone said it wouldn’t last.

Friends and family of the guy were very protective. They weren’t really sure about this girl. Friends of the girl weren’t really sure about this guy. They were very protective. It was kind of hard for this guy and this girl. But they loved each other so much and didn’t care what other people thought about their situation.

They’ve been through raising kids and teenagers. They’ve been through parents dying and brain surgery. They’ve been through thick and thin. They’ve been there for each other always. They’ve been through life. They’ve been through happiness. They have never had a fight.

Together. Life altered forever. Life different forever. In January, they will have been married 20 years. It was meant to be. It was fate. It was written in the stars.

The guy is my everything. The girl is his everything.