First off, I feel like I should have some sort of music of anticipation playing as I write this. Instead, I’m sitting here quietly in the library. How the the heck did we get here? Another lifetime ago, I’d never see myself sitting in a library to use their wifi. I’ve always been a hard working, active person. In fact, when I was single, men used to tell me I was to intimidating to date. I had my own successful real estate business, my own house, a new Dodge Ram, a new Chevy Aveo for my daughter, and a Harley Davidson. I had three kids that were very independent. We traveled all the time, and had a lot of fun. I didn’t really need a man, but I was lonely. I wish I knew then, what I know now. I’d not have been in such a rush to find someone and leave my happy lifestyle. However, I was in a rush. I was lonely. I joined eharmoney.com, match.com, and any other .com’s I could. I went on a few dates, but kept talking to this one guy in Idaho. He was a christian, and I liked that. We dated a short while before deciding we wanted to live together. However, he didn’t want to live in sin. I was on board, so we got married. This was a huge mistake for both of us. Just after the first few weeks I knew it was a bad thing, but I’d given my house and business up. I couldn’t go back. For the next three years, we lived a very boring, sad life. Unfortunately, my kids did too. I lost all my things, my bike, my truck, my daughters car, and my self esteem. I finally a had enough and decided to end the marriage.
After I moved out, I met someone, my husband now. He has saved my life. Literally, and figuratively. Travis and I met after he finished going to Northwest Lineman school in Meridian, Idaho. He was working with a company that had him traveling a lot, and so we only saw each other once a month or so. I’d never believed in love at first sight, but that is what it was with us. Just within the first week we knew each other, we both knew we were meant to be. Both of our marriages had recently ended, and so the timing was right for us to start our new life together. He got a job that transferred him to Texas. He moved down in January of 2012, and I followed, along with two of my kids in March. We lived in West Texas for the next two years. It had it’s ups and downs. We were only able to see his son once during that time, which was very tough on both Travis and his son. I was diagnosed with a rare, serious autoimmune disease called Wegener’s Granulomatosis. I had to undergo surgeries, and chemotherapy. My mom, and my oldest daughter had to come stay with us a few times to help out. It finally was very clear that we needed to move back to the Pacific Northwest to be closer to our families.
Even though Travis was making a good income in Texas, the cost of living was taking it all. I was working for Aflac, and doing very well, for as sick as I was. When Travis got the opportunity to move to Idaho, we jumped at it. It took all of our savings to move back. His new job was not what it was said to be, which is what we’ve found to be true with most jobs in the Lineman field. We were back to square one, and a bit scared. Within a few weeks, my super-husband had a found his new career path, in his old career field as glazier and installing automatic doors. We made plans to move again, from Idaho to Oregon.
I’m so glad we did. Although things are bit different than we’d planned, we are finally on the right track. I have a great team of doctors at OHSU. To save money, we bought a new RV to live in. One of my best friends let us park it at her place, and we did that for nine months. When she moved, we moved it to Travis’ best friends place, and are currently there. We are waiting to buy a fixer-upper this summer. This will be our new fresh start. Once again we will have a home of our own. Eventually, will have our dream cars/trucks/toys again. We will rebuild our lives together. I try to think of it like an adventure. It may not seem glamorous, but it will interesting.
Chronically Susan 