Everything really is figureoutable: a real-life love story for Valentine’s Day
Once upon a time in a land not so far away, there lived a young woman who appeared to the world to be blessed by the Fates. She had her dream job, a beautiful new home, a hard-working husband, and three lovely children. Some would say she was living her happily ever after.
But she also had hidden demons, including an addiction to opioids. As is always the case in fairy tales and real life, these demons didn’t stay hidden for long. Eventually, the woman lost her job, walked away from her husband and her house, amassed mountains of debt, and embraced the demons.
Just as it seemed that there was no way out of the darkness and that the woman was destined for destruction, she found the three things that she was not willing to give up without a fight: her children, her nursing license, and herself. So she rallied to battle the demons.
There were naysayers…plenty of them. And supporters…even more of them. But unlike the fairy tales, there would be no knight in shining armor or Fairy God Mother charging to the rescue. This woman would have to be the hero of her own story. She would have to figure it out. And figure it out she did.
Oh, it wasn’t easy. Still isn’t. There are setbacks and victories. She takes on each, one at a time. Sometimes the obstacles seem overwhelming. Sometimes everything just falls into place. But always she figures it out.
In the midst of this journey, a Prince Charming did arrive…not to rescue, but to provide hope, joy, romance, a shoulder to cry on, and a hand to hold.
There was just one problem. This Prince Charming lived in Greece. Our heroine lives in the United States with three minor children. One more thing to figure out. So began a long-distance relationship with lots of FaceTime and the Prince traveling to the U.S. for in-person visits as often as possible.
Then one day, just before Christmas, the guard at the gates of the kingdom (in this case, US Customs) blocked the way. Why had the Prince come to the United States so often and stayed for so long? He must be up to no good. And with that, the Prince was unceremoniously sent back to the land of his birth.
Our heroine could have given up right there, looked for love closer to home. Should have, some might say. But that’s not her way. By now, she knew that everything is figureoutable. So she gathered reinforcements and began the next phase of her journey: the K-1 visa process (think 90-day Fiancé).
The K-1 visa process is costly—in time, money, mental and emotional exertion—and requires a strong everything-is-figureoutable mentality. Good thing that is our heroine’s superpower. Two years after the gates were slammed shut on our Prince, he approached again, this time bearing the hard-earned golden ticket, and the gates were thrown open wide. Our couple had a joyous reunion!
If this were a fairy tale, the story would end here with “and they lived happily ever after.” Of course, this is real-life, and there will be many more things to figure out. So I will end this story instead with…
And they lived happily
in the present moment.
Your turn
- Do you celebrate Valentine’s Day? If so, how?
- What’s the farthest from home you’ve ever traveled?
- What else is on your mind? Anything at all!
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Oh goodness, I was just thinking “90 Day Fiancé” and K-1 Visa as I began reading this. Do you watch that show? I do. Best of luck to your daughter!!
I celebrate Valentine’s Day with hubby and grandbabies. The farthest from home I’ve traveled is to Europe twice.
Yes, 90 Day Fiance is a guilty pleasure of mine and my husband’s. We celebrate Valentine’s Day at home, pretty low-key. The farthest I’ve been is Europe as well–we went to France eight years ago. I’d like to see more of Europe one day.
I love this “fairy tale”! And truly love all of the characters in it. I’m so happy for them. ❤️
We always stay in and cook a nice dinner. Usually we exchange a Valentine card and maybe chocolate. (Very traditional.)
I think Hawaii is the farthest I’ve ever traveled.
Thank you Cindy. I’m happy for them too. I wish Mom had been here to see it in person, but hopefully she is cheering them on from somewhere. We celebrate Valentine’s Day at home as well, just exchanging cards and “I love yous.” Hawaii is a wonderful place to visit!
I love “and they lived happily in the present moment”. I’m trying very hard to do that. We just learned a friend in our “crowd” died unexpectedly of a heart attack at age 55. No warning; she was in amazing shape too. Grab hold of each and every day.
Such an important message, Pat. Today (actually this very moment) is all we are guaranteed. And the only moment in time we can actually experience. If we are not mindful of that, it’s just time slipping by. I’m sorry to hear of the loss of your friend. XO
Oh that’s lovely. Yes, they will have challenges ahead, but everything is, as you say, figureoutable and I wish them many present moments of happy.
Thank you Jo. They are a lovely couple and she is one of the strongest women I know. (I may be a wee bit biased, as she is my daughter.)
This is beautiful writing Christie. I agree with you ‘everything is figureoutable’ Sending love and best wishes #MLSTL Sharing
Thank you Jennifer. This post definitely came from the heart.
Wow! That was beautiful and lovely! Thank you for sharing an extraordinary love story!
Valentines Day is fairly relaxed for us. Of course, it does require a good dose of chocolate!
Thank you Lucia. They are an extraordinary couple and they have fought hard to be together. I wish them lots of love and happiness. Valentine’s Day is pretty laid back for us as well. As far as chocolate is concerned, I’ve been working on a bowl of Dove dark chocolate hearts for a week now…warming up for the big event. 🙂
What a lovely story Christie – and a real life one too. We all expect life to give us an easy ride, but there are no guarantees. It’s so wonderful to read about people who dig themselves out of a messy life and build a new (and often better) one – having learned some valuable lessons.
I wish them all the very best and thanks for sharing their story with us at MLSTL and I’ve shared on my SM ?
I couldn’t agree more about life being unexpectedly messy, Leanne. As a child, dreaming of my future, I certainly could not have imagined what I would face. It hasn’t been easy, but it has been so worth it, and as you say, I’ve learned some valuable lessons. That’s the great thing about midlife…those lessons are starting to accumulate and take hold. One very important one is that nothing is guaranteed, so live in this very moment and appreciate the small everyday joys. Thanks for sharing this journey with me.
Christie, I am very happy this true life fairy-tale had a happy ending. Not always the case. Good grief on how the Prince was blocked. I do like the “figureoutable” word and meaning. And, yes, in the present moment. And this is why every moment is soooo precious. For me, right now, my daughter is due to have her baby any moment or any day. A priority in our lives. Thank you for sharing this story, Christie! Happy Valentine’s Day to you and yours.?
How exciting, Erica, that you are about to have a new grandbaby! That just makes every moment more precious, doesn’t it? Happy Valentine’s Day to you as well!
Thank you for sharing this real life story. How hard it must have been for everyone involved. #MLSTL
There were definitely some difficult days, but I couldn’t be more proud of her or her amazing children.
Hi Christie, what a lovely story but like all true love stories the path is never easy. I’m sure that with love and support of their families they will indeed find a ‘happy ever after’ in the future. Thank you for sharing at #MLSTL. We don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day but I always enjoy a love story. xx
So true, Sue. Everything worth having is worth working for, huh? I’m so happy they have this chance to be together. Is Valentine’s Day not a thing in Australia, or do you just choose not to celebrate it? My husband and I exchange cards, but that’s as far as we take it.
Thanks for sharing this true life love story Christie, what an amazing journey. I wish you all well. Valentines Day isn’t big on our list of celebrations but I do believe in love. #mlstl
I believe in love too, Deb. And I’m wishing lots of it for our daughter and soon-to-be son-in-law and for people everywhere! Happy Valentine’s Day!
Thanks for the beautiful story, Christie. I love romance, it is always good to see couples working to keep it fresh in their lives.
We will feature your true story on the next Blogger’s Pit Stop.
Kathleen
Thank you Kathleen! It’s always an honor to be featured on the Blogger’s Pit Stop, among so many quality blogs. So far so good for the happy couple! It’s an adjustment for sure, but the whole family is taking it in stride and is very happy.