One Moment Changed the Next 20 Years of My Life
Time is just a blink of an eye and moments can be monumental.
A moment can be defined as a snippet of time. It could be a day, a minute, or a second. We’ve got quite a bit of space for anything to happen within the 525,600 minutes in each year (or 31,536,000 seconds if you really want to take a deep dive).
And a moment is all it takes for your world to change forever. If you had told me back in 2005 where I would be today, I never would’ve believed you. We don’t always see the potential for the butterfly effect, but it’s pretty cool to open our eyes to it when we do.
(Cue the flashback music)
Out of Nowhere
Fall hadn’t quite arrived that morning. I found myself in shorts and a t-shirt heading out the door to the race. I brought a sweater, just in case. I ran the Police Pace the previous year with my academy class. It was going to be nice this year, setting my own pace. I’ve never been a fast runner, but I hold my own.
I volunteered to help with registration prior to the race that year by passing out packets and meal vouchers. The department had set up the registration table under the pavilion near the lake. Along with registration, food tables were set up nearby with light breakfast noshes for the runners and some music to get them geared up. It was the music that caught my attention.
Back in February of ‘04, I was encouraged to do a ride-along with one of the officers. It’s a good way to get a feel for police work and decide if it’s right for you. While on an assault call, I noticed this young officer walk up out of my periphery. I’m a sucker for dark-haired guys and solid builds. Needless to say, I couldn’t help but notice him and snuck some subtle glances when I could.
I didn’t see him after that call until the following July. We would pass each other in the parking lot of the station. One morning, as I was flipping through papers on my way to my vehicle, I heard this deep voice say, “Good Morning.” I looked up abruptly to realize not only was it the hot officer I saw back in February, but he was speaking to me. I said, “Good Morning,” softly and tried not to blush.
We would say ‘hi’ each morning until one day he wasn’t there. Or the next day. Or the day after that. I nonchalantly asked around and was told he had been working in the Executive Office but had recently transferred back out to the road. I was also told his name was Joe. I was disappointed I wouldn’t be seeing him each morning, but I secretly hoped we would run into each other again.
The Unexpected
Walking up to the registration table at the pavilion, I suddenly stopped dead in my tracks. There he was, standing at the DJ stand, working on a laptop. I knew I had to do something if I wanted a shot with this guy. So, I walked up to the stand and struck up a conversation (it was a little forced on my end and I was trying so hard to be casual — haha). He smiled when he saw me and asked how I’ve been. We talked about his transfer, how his new position was working out, how I liked my job, what I’d been doing since we saw each other last, and his passion for music. I found out he used to DJ as a kid and would volunteer to help out with department functions. I was on a slippery slope with this guy. He was personable, nice, and had a big heart.
We talked on and off throughout the morning about anything and everything. He was so easy to talk to and I enjoyed spending time with him. Then the event came to a close. He started packing up his equipment and I broke away to help with cleanup.
While pulling garbage bags from the dumpsters around the park — in all my glory, might I add (nothing hotter than messing with trash, lol!) — I saw him getting ready to leave. I couldn’t help but feel a pang of disappointment. I liked him and knew I wanted to see him again. Guess he didn’t feel the same way, so I went back to my work.
Until I saw him heading my way. I was stunned and tried to pretend I didn’t notice. He jogged over to me and said, “Hey! I was wondering what you’re doing tonight.” I couldn’t contain the smile. I told him I didn’t have any plans. He asked me out to dinner that evening.
Life Happens
Dinner that night turned into dinner almost every night. And the occasional breakfast and lunch. We exchanged numbers and talked on the phone daily.
About 2 years later, he asked me to move in with him. A few months after that, he proposed. We got married the following year. But, that’s a story for another time…
Now, 20 years later, we have 2 amazing teenagers, a goofy-ass dog, a curmudgeony rabbit, and a beautiful home full of love. I found my best friend and soulmate that day. One who understood me, loved me for who I was, and saw me as the center of his world. And he truly is my everything, too.
I couldn’t ask for anything more than that one conversation in that one moment. It made all the difference in the world.
If you like this, please consider following me and my adventures. Comment below if you have had your own unexpected moment that changed your world. Thanks for the support!
