April 29, 2022 – AJ Moved

Today AJ moved out of the house she had lived in with her late husband. She was supposed to have friends, LA and BA, show up to help since they lived in town. At the time, I was living over two hours away, but AJ and I spoke almost every day on the phone. When she told me what day she was moving, I made it a point to be in the area to visit an old friend of mine.

As it turned out, not one of her friends showed up to help her. But I was there, and of course I stepped in. I had even made sure to drive my truck that day just in case she needed it. That move turned into something more meaningful than just loading boxes and furniture, it became the day AJ and I officially started dating.

Welcome to Our Story (The Day We Met)

This blog is a place where I’ll be sharing the journey of my life with AJ, our memories, adventures, and everything in between. From the small everyday moments that make us smile, to the big milestones that shape our future together, this space is meant to capture it all.

AJ’s story has always been one of resilience. Growing up as one of eighteen siblings, she carried responsibilities from a young age and learned early what it meant to fight for herself and those she loves. Over the years, she has endured hardship, loss, and change, but through it all she has held onto a strength and a spirit that inspire me daily.

My story has been shaped by its own challenges and turning points. Losing someone I loved left a mark on me, one that I carry even now. For a long time, I did not think I would find the kind of connection or joy that could fill that empty space. But life has a way of surprising us, sometimes when we least expect it.

There are certain moments in life that never fade, no matter how much time passes. Meeting AJ for the first time is one of those memories for me. From the start, there was something about her that stood apart. She had this quiet strength, resilient but also warm, and it showed in the way she carried herself. I had known pieces of her story before we met, but being in her presence was different. I could see the strength behind her smile, and I felt the weight of all she had lived through, mixed with a hope and light that made me want to lean in closer.

Our first conversation flowed like we had skipped the small talk entirely and jumped straight into something real. She was open and unafraid to be herself, and that honesty struck me right away. She did not try to impress me, she simply was herself, and that alone impressed me more than anything. I remember walking away from that meeting with a feeling I could not quite name. It was not just attraction, it was recognition. A deep sense that something important had just happened, and that my life had shifted in a way I could not undo.

Looking back now, I can see that moment for what it was, the spark that lit everything else. The trips, the memories, the laughter, the hard lessons, and the love we have built, it all began the first time I met AJ. Since then, we have shared road trips with no destination, spontaneous getaways, quiet mornings, and countless little moments that remind us how grateful we are to have found each other. We have built memories one by one, and each of them has added to the foundation of the life we are now creating. With our wedding planned for October of 2025, it feels like the right time to begin capturing this journey in words.

This blog will be part journal, part travel log, and part reflection. Some posts will be simple notes about where we have been or where we would like to go next. Others will be more personal reflections about love, growth, and the lessons we have learned along the way.

At its heart, this site is about us, two people who came from very different places, carrying our own stories, and who decided to build a new one together. I hope that as I share our journey, it not only becomes a keepsake for us but also something that inspires others to cherish their own paths.

So welcome to our story. I am glad you are here.

** NOTE: This is the day that AJ and I met in person for the first time and I plan on making additional post for the things that happened as much as I can remember.  The good, The Bad and The Ugly.