The Day My Life Got Made

There’s something I’m gonna tell you about this picture. Chris and I met on a Friday…it was my 50th birthday. We had breakfast, a very long talk, and after he left, we FaceTimed every day for the next four days. Our conversation was effortless…we just clicked.

The following Tuesday evening, he came to my home. I remember him walking in and me thinking, “What is happening? He is a stranger…isn’t he? This is going too fast.” But I wasn’t able to slow it down. I didn’t want to.

We spent the next 18 hours with each other. It was one of the best times of my life.

The day following, Chris returned to his home in Cincinnati. Before he left, we took this picture.

And I already knew.

Knew what, Matt? What did you know?

Well, I didn’t know he’d be mine—I just knew he should be. I didn’t know if he felt it as deeply as I did, but I was already in love. It was just too soon to say it.

But by the end of the week, neither of us could hide our feelings. He said it first. “I love you.” Whispered it, actually. ❤️ The next day, I said it back.

This is our first ever picture together. I love everything I can see on my face…and his. He showed up for this photo the same way he does each morning when he gets out of bed. With a smile. Expectant. Good, through and through. And I did the same. Happy. A little pensive. Hopeful. And overthinking like it was my full time job, plus overtime.

We had no idea what was coming, but whatever it was, we wanted to do it together. So, without question or fear, without an ounce of “be realistic” between us, we gave ourselves over to the mystery of love. It was the best decision I’ve ever made. My life got made on my 50th birthday.

The level of gratitude…🥰

Several days before we met, Chris had expanded his Tinder radius to include the Indianapolis area. Thank god he did, because that’s where I was. Then on my 50th, he came and found me.

“Can I take you out for coffee on your birthday?” Yes. To everything. To it all.

Now here I sit, in my green chair. And he’s in the other room drinking his morning smoothie.

I don’t think there’s a better man on the planet. I’m actually quite sure there’s not. I am the luckiest.