Back in the dating saddle
I’m a 33 year old woman. I live in a commercial-sized chicken coop turned cozy cottage (see pics below).
I have two horses named Detail and Playboy, one dog named Namo, and one cat named Charley. I love to ride horses and help people. I like open spaces and feeling free. I like being myself. Wow, yep, I just said that. I have come a long way although I still feel like I have a lot to learn in the romantic love category…only a few layers of that onion have been peeled back.
I’m dating a guy named Monte and he’s helping me peel back the layers. I wasn’t looking to date again but he showed up one day on my doorstep at 7:20am and I answered the door in my fuzzy horse bathrobe. He asked if I had the phone number of the ranch owner because his construction crew was going to be dumping dirt to build a new horse paddock. So I gave it to him and quickly crossed my arms over my chest when I realized I didn’t have a bra on.
Then he got in his red pickup truck and drove off. I saw him a few days later driving a truck full of dirt and I waved at him to stop. I wanted my horse’s runs filled with soft dirt and he seemed like the guy to do it.
He stopped the truck and we started talking while I was feeding horses wearing Chacos, which he later referred to as my “Jesus sandals”.
The rest isn’t history; it’s still the first chapter. I’m scared to open my heart again and I didn’t think I was ready but here I am. I wasn’t looking for anyone but he showed up and we started spending more time together. I learned he’s a construction foreman/cowboy and has 5 horses, 200 cattle, and a ranch. A RANCH. That’s always been my dream, to have my own ranch. Some women’s hearts go pitter-patter when they hear “ring”, my heart goes pitter-patter when I hear “ranch”.
I like him and I don’t know where this trail is going to lead but I’m glad we are on it together. It’s softening my heart and allowing someone to see beneath the layers of a tough, independent woman who is perfectly content doing her own thing.
I like holding hands. And having someone teach me about elk bugling. And being looked in the eyes so deeply that I have to look away because I start blushing.
This guy sees me…Shit. What a feeling to be truly seen.
Back in the saddle and falling hard,
Devon
Devon, the most telling thing in what you’ve said here is that he looks you in the eyes so deeply, you have to look away because you start blushing. That, my friend, is a good sign. I know that look and that reaction to it. It’s the best! Glad you’re back in the saddle. Happy trails!
Hi Melanie, thank you for you comment and indeed, his looks makes me blush. The body doesn’t lie so indeed it’s a good sign! I appreciate your encouragement and it feels good to be back in the saddle. XO
Oh Devon, I love your heart and generous spirit. Go forth and be happy!
Dear Loree, thank you, sweet friend. I’m going forth and blazing a new trail with this relationship 🙂
Love love love! Thanks for sharing your joy!
Thank you Bonnie, I’m glad you liked the post!
I’m so happy for you Devon, you deserve all that and more and if a Ranch is in the future then the horse Gods have played Divine Match Maker!
Keep dreaming and do it BIG!
Miss you
Kim Stephens
Hey Kim, haha “the horse Gods have played Divine Match Maker”…that’s awesome. I appreciate your kind words and I’m trusting the process on this one, big time. Miss you too!
What a beautiful and sweet story! So happy for you and glad you are trusting the process and opening up. I always appreciate your honesty and telling us what’s up with you! Thank you!
Hey Lisa, yep, I’m trusting the process and where the trails leads…I appreciate your comment and thanks for reading and supporting me on the journey. XO
Good things happen to good people!
Thank you for letting live live vicariously through you!
I’m glad you enjoyed the story and thanks for reading!
Tee hee hee. I’m giggling with delight. Step lightly, heart high.
Thanks, Brenda. I love your words of wisdom and I take them to heart. “Step lightly, heart high.”
Dev
From one independent woman to another…. the right partner does not inhibit your independence, just adds a delicious layer of intimacy and a companion for the journey.
Heather, I love what you shared, especially the “delicious layer of intimacy”…I’m starting to experience that hence believe it and I know we’ve had many good talks about being independent. You inspire me with your journey with your partner and have shown me what’s possible!
Devon- I’m learning from your experiences (& mine) that courage rarely roars. It’s in the blushing & being seen. Awe!
Hi DeAnn, that’s beautifully said “courage rarely roars…it’s in the blushing and being seen.” I LOVE that and too true. For me it’s taking small steps which add up to big strides. Thanks for reading and sharing.
I will add my congrats and hopeful good wishes to the group. You know my story and how it came true. If someone would have told me I’d be sitting here in Maui with my wonderful husband (!!!!) on our patio looking out at the ocean and seeing whales on our delayed honeymoon, I would have said no way, being the cynic I was sometimes after every heartbreak. But underneath that cynic was the hopeful heart and I couldn’t keep that part of me silent. Seems neither can you. Be happy and enjoy the journey. Valerie
Great to hear from you Valerie. The picture you describe sounds amazing and I know you manifested that with your husband by never giving up on love, even after heartbreak. Thank you for sharing YOUR story and not keeping that part of your silent. You’re an inspiration and I appreciate your support along the journey.
Congratulations Devon! You are an amazing soul and deserve the best. I’m happy to hear this story. Happy holidays!!!
Renee, I appreciate your kind words and thanks for reading. Happy Holidays to you too!
He was sent to you. There is no coincidence. Sounds wonderful, after all you’ve been through.
I agree it’s no coincidence, Lynette. It’s been a helluva ride so and I’m learning a lot. Especially how important it is to get back in the saddle. Hope to see you soon, XO
Thanks for sharing your experience! I believe in Serendipity (I’m still waiting lol) which is one of my favorite words (Cute movie too). Wishing you much happiness on this unexpected journey and it seems like it will be an extra Happy Holiday for both of you !
Thanks for reading Doreen, and I need to watch that movie again. I appreciate your warm wishes and in my experience, dreams manifest when we put them out into the Universe and then let it go. You never know, they may show up at your doorstep 🙂 Happy Holidays to you too!
Yay ❤️????????????
‘I live in a chicken coup’! Right on sister! All of it. Right on. xoxo
Thanks for your support, Sara! You’ve to to come visit the coop one of these days 🙂
Love this story!
Thank you, Jenny!