Paidon and I briefly dated when we were 22 years old and COMPLETELY different people. After five years of growth, and a chance reunion at our local watering hole, we decided to give love another shot. I wouldn't change a single thing about our journey together; without that time apart we never would have became the amazing family that we are today.

In the traditional sense our story is anything but usual. I know everyone says that, but really, this time it’s true. Paidon and I met way back in our wonder years when we were fresh 22 and all knowing. Paidon had just began working for my father and I had recently graduated and moved back to Ponca. One particularly hot afternoon my father requested that I bring some cold beverages out to their work location. Me, being the sweeting and loving daughter that I am, quickly agreed. AKA there was probably some sort of bribe or blackmail involved. Once I arrived Paidon headed over to help me unload the supplies. We had gone to the same high school but had never actually met before that day. So we said a quick hello and went on about our day. A few weeks later we ran into each other at an acquaintances birthday party. We chatted for a while and eventually ended up exchanging numbers. Over the next few months we went on a few dates, had some great times and made a few hilarious memories. Including the notorious “Skivvies Incident of 2014”, if Chuck hasn’t told you that one by now I’m sure he will by the end of our reception lol. Now for most couples that would have been "all she wrote", but of course we weren’t most couples. As I previously stated we were young and dumb and neither of us were ready to settle down. Some might say I “ghosted” him and others might say it was mutual (cough, cough, Paidon…) but who really knows in those situations lol. To put it nicely we parted ways and both began new chapters in our lives.

Five years later I joined a friend for dinner at our favorite watering hole. Apparently that day Paidon happen to have the same idea and we ended up running into each other. In a town as small as Ponca we were surprised it hadn’t happen sooner. We shared an awkward hello and went about our evening. A few days later we bumped into each other again, and then again the following week. Eventually we got the hint that maybe the universe was trying to tell us something and decided to sit down together for old time’s sake. After a lot of thought and consideration, and I mean A LOT, we decided to give things another whirl. Now I’m not saying that we instantly fell back in love or that violins played as we sailed off into the sunset; but I guess you could say it was pretty dang close. And that my friends was FINALLY “all she wrote”.