Ten years ago today my life completely changed.
I was walking on a completely remote dirt road in the middle of the New Mexican mountains – looked over and saw the most beautiful man I had ever seen. We started talking, and we both felt like we were just continuing a conversation.
It was just after 9/11, and I was looking for more out of life – more spirituality – a deeper meaning to it all. My dreams of saving the world were marred with buildings crashing down and terrorists acts. I was searching for something to help get me back on track – help me believe in goodness and love again.
I had just started reading about Buddhism – learning that peace and love truly exist in each of us. In just a few minutes of talking with him, I learned that this man had studied eastern religion for many years – he recommended many books to me along these lines. He had just returned to the states after spending six months in India – and moved to New Mexico to write. I was completely drawn to this person – he was so kind and alive and spiritual and funny and witty and sweet.
I knew him, and he knew me.
I had never seen him in this lifetime, and yet it was a gut feeling – a soul feeling that we both shared: we had done this before. We had been in love for a very long time.
I always felt like I was searching for something – someone. I never felt completely settled in. In relationships, I always had one foot out the door. I knew that there was so much more waiting for me – I just wasn’t quite sure what it was. Now I know – it was Dan.
Just before going to that fateful dirt road ten years ago, I did something that I had never done before (at least not since I was a child): I got on my knees and prayed. I asked the universe for a best friend. I was feeling sad and alone and wanted to process 9/11 with someone on a soul level – I was tired of trying to hold onto friendships that no longer felt quite right. I needed something more, so I asked for it. And then Dan appeared. And for the first time ever in my life, I felt like I could fully exhale. I knew that he is what had been missing. I had been searching and searching and finally we were back together – we were home.
Since that day, we have been completely inseparable. We both felt that we had been given a precious gift by reconnecting, and we were going to make sure that we made the most of it. We rearranged our lives so that we would be together as much as possible. The thought of either of us leaving for work and wasting time where we could be together was unfathomable.
Since meeting, we’ve worked together editing archeological documents, putting together a newspaper for an after-school program, teaching journalism to middle schoolers, and for the last 7 years – running our business together. It’s called “This Is It! Creations” because that’s how we felt when we met each other – that this was it. This is what it’s all about.
I am so grateful that I get to share each day with my wonderful husband. I am so grateful that we are in eachother’s lives.
Asking for and then finding Dan has completely opened up my soul. It’s like I was a flower wanting to bloom but all closed up still and not quite sure how to fully open. I now know that opening up requires faith and trust and letting go. I asked, and then I surrendered. And that’s when the magic began. And this deep inner knowing has opened me up in ways I never even thought imaginable.
It’s hard to put into words the complete gratitude, humility, and admiration I feel to be a part of such an amazing universe. The fact that I get to spend each day with my best friend – growing together and loving each other makes me feel like the luckiest girl in the world. And knowing that this gift opened me up in so many ways is extraordinary and amazing.
To my beautiful husband and this limitless universe – thank you.
I agree with every word of this beautiful post! Thank you for being my soul mate and my home for 10+ years and forever! And thank you for opening me up to all the love and possibilities that life has to offer–and allowing me to experience this with you as we continue our journey…
♥ … ♥
Thank you, Jodi, for sharing this beautiful story of you and Dan. Such testament to the presence of real soul mates and a destined love! Much love to you both!
Dearest Alice,
Thank you so much for your kindness and love. Meeting him and experiencing our love is definitely when I feel like my life truly began. ♥ ♥ ♥
You’re a lucky girl, Jodi. A beautiful anniversary gift to Dan, this post is…
You’re so right – I am so very blessed! Thank you so much for stopping by! ♥
Oh my gosh, Jodi. I’m certain words can’t express how deeply touched I am right now–I had goosebumps the whole way through reading your beautiful words…what an incredible story. I absolutely love that it felt like you were “just continuing a conversation,” that it felt like you were “reconnecting,” wow. And I love that you asked, surrendered and then the magic happened. Ahhh…my heart is so touched.
Thank you for sharing this beauty.
Happy Anniversary, beautiful one.
Julia
Thanks, Julia! I haven’t ever written our story – especially in such a public way. There is even more to tell, but I have to save some of it for our book, right? 😉 I’m so glad it touched you – it really feels like a miracle every day for both of us. We each have had many moments of panic and what ifs when imagining not meeting when we did – so many events had to line up just right for us to meet. Whew – the universe is pure magic. This I know for sure. ♥ to you!
So happy to read about your love story, Jodi (and Dan). You are treasures!
Thanks, Lesley! So sweet of you. We are both so glad to have found each other again. ♥ ♥ ♥
Happy anniversary to the both of you! What a gorgeous post. A true tribute to asking and receiving…finding your soul-mate. I wish you a lifetime of love, friendship, and the discovery of the deeper things in life.
Hugs,
Leah
Thank you so much, Leah! Your words always mean so much to me (and now to Dan, too). ♥ to you.
Beautiful love story! Thanks for sharing!! New follower from Blogging Buddies! 🙂
Hi Crystal – thanks so much for stopping by! I can’t wait to check out your blog, too! ♥
Wow – wonderful touching story, you are very lucky!
Pamela, from Blog Buddies
Hi Pamela! Thanks so much – I definitely feel so blessed. 🙂
What a beautiful story. For Dan to write a comment made it even more touching!
Thanks, Linda. ♥ He’s definitely not as “out there” online as I am, so it meant a lot for him to post here – so sweet. 🙂
What a beautiful story of love found. I’m so glad you are there for each other to share your lives…and thank you for stopping by Inspired and leaving such a lovely comment. I’m glad I found you and Soul Speak as well.
Thanks, Kate! I do feel very blessed to have found him – he’s quite the guy. ♥ I’m so glad I found your blog – love that you’re participating in the 30 days of gratitude project.
Beautiful! Thank you for sharing your wonderful story. Happy Anniversary to you both.
Thanks, Michelle! ♥
Your story, the honesty of it, the generosity, the vivid letting go….is so beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing, and allowing a stranger to enter in and rejoice with and for you. You’ve inspired me, and given me hope, that this “one foot out the door” feeling… the deep knowledge that there is something waiting out there for me… it is okay. Someday I will “run in to” my soul partner and it will be an astounding Ahhhhhh moment like yours. I thank you again, sister.
♥
Hi Brooke,
Thank you so much for such kind words here – wow, it really made my day to know that our love touched you in such a powerful way. You’re absolutely right that everything that you are feeling now is okay – trust that, and follow your heart. It really does know the way. And you just placed your order with the universe, by the way, by saying that you’ll run into your soul partner someday… Yay! And when you do, please come back and share. 🙂