The story of us.

I love this man.

Love is that condition in the human spirit so profound that it allows me to survive, and better than that, to thrive with passion, compassion, and style.”

Maya Angelou

It was two years ago this week when I pulled into the parking lot of the Boyle County Fire Department for the first time and I first laid eyes on the man who will soon become my husband.

Many probably don’t know the full story of how Jim and I met. Quite simply, we’re rather private, despite both having jobs that place us in public. We try very hard to keep our private lives private and keep our work lives and our personal lives separate.

That’s not easy when you’re a reporter dating a public information officer.

But I love our little story, so I’d like to share it.

It’s nothing fancy really. But it’s ours. It’s a tale of work and technology influencing life.

See, it all began in early April when I set out to Perryville to meet some council members for a tour of the historic homes. No one ever came to meet me — I later learned they had rescheduled but forgot to contact me. Scrambling for something to do, I was still there taking photos of random people in town when a fire truck went by. I took off, following the firefighters, and my coworker’s directions. Directions she was getting from Jim.

I went, covered the fire, headed home. It turned out to be a relatively nice afternoon — I got great shots and no one was injured in the fire. It was an older, vacant house, that was used mostly for storage.

About a week later, per his request, my coworker at the time gave me his number. I had “passed the test” in my coverage. Jim was very protective of his department.

So, I texted him one afternoon. It was a Friday. Funny what a person remembers. Our first conversation was about barbecue — I was heading to an interview about a new barbecue joint in the county.

— I’m still waiting on him to take me to a “good” barbecue place, by the way. —

Anyway, we texted a little that afternoon. Then, for some reason on Monday, I picked up the phone and texted him again. I mean, I know the reason — once I make a connection with a “source” I like to reach out occasionally, to build that relationship.

It wasn’t long before our conversation got off-topic again — he made a Princess Bride reference, which I actually got. I joke that I impressed him with my PB knowledge.

That night, they were having training, so he invited me out to see the place. I figured, what the heck, had dinner and jetted out there.

He teases me, because I was bent on keeping things "professional." Something possessed me to tell him that — it’s sad to say, a single gal in this line of work runs into overly “friendly” men. I had already had a few such encounters.

I don’t know what it says for me, but my determination lasted maybe three days.

A truly sad note, but one that is part of our story — a horrible fire broke out near my apartment. It was a really late night, I had three or four articles due the next day and I was still up writing when the trucks came careening by. So I followed and had a breaking story. That was between midnight and 2 a.m., I think. That’s not the part I remember, honestly. The part I remember is the next day — a Wednesday — when I was so exhausted I went home early and slept most of the afternoon. I hadn’t slept at all that night, so it was much needed.

"Engagement photos."
My dad is a goof.

Prior to the nap, though, he was pushing. I could tell he was, which says something. I was never good at catching that — I’m not really a coy kind of girl — or if I did catch it, I often ignored it, in case I was wrong.

That day, I chalked it up to sleep deprivation causing me to misunderstand. After my nap, I realized I wasn’t misunderstanding anything. He was full-out flirting with me. That was a bit of a bombshell for me.

And, my dad would probably say, that was the beginning of the end — ha.

My brother is a goof, too.

Our first “date?” An afternoon at the park with Luna-bug. The start of many afternoons at the park. (To be clear, she and I had been going before — she loves the park.)

And here we are. Two years later. It seems like it’s been much longer than two years, to be honest. Some might say it seems quick, but it hasn’t for us. It’s been right. And comfortable. 

In that two years, we've fallen in love, started sharing our life, learned more about each other every day, gained a dog. We've worked through extremely tough patches, work scares, work injuries, surgeries, illnesses, deaths, family struggles and more.

Jim and Kristen during his latest bout
at EMRMC during a game of
Man Bites Dog.

He can quote movies and music. He rattles off random trivia. Kicks my butt at about any board game and "assists" whenever I get the crazy urge to work a puzzle or “make something.” He loves our dogs. He loves his kids and I’m blessed he has shared them with me.

Don’t get me wrong — he drives me crazy sometimes. He’s good at picking on me. Sometimes, I just have to stick out my tongue at him or give him a little punch.

But he loves me.

My future husband.

He’s the person I miss most and the one I want to see every day. His hugs can make anything better. I’m amazed at the things he says sometimes and in awe in the man of God he is and is growing to be. I love hearing his dreams and plans of college and a career, his passion for fire service, and his love for his kids. I praise God that I get to be the person he shares the future with.

I love him. And someday soon I will marry him in front of a few close friends and family.

Unless, we elope first. Crazy wedding planning. But that’s for another post. ;)