Thoughtless Decisions

It's amazing how one simple decision, without even knowing it, can change your life forever.  A decision that you make without much thought of what will happen, because you don't realize the decision will have any major impact on your life.  It may be a decision that you've made a hundred times before, but this one day, it has a different outcome.

I made one of those decisions the night of August 31, 2005.  It was a Wednesday night, like any other.  I was tired after a long day at work, and so was my then-roommate.  We contemplated going to our favorite bar, Cowboy's Red River, but both said we were too tired.  Then about 5 minutes later, we both randomly changed our minds and decided to go for just a little while to unwind and have some fun. 

It was just like any other Wednseday night at Cowboy's, no cover charge and cheap drinks (one of the reasons we loved Wednseday nights!).  We found a table next to the center bar, even though we normally didn't sit there.  There was a group of people laughing and enjoying themselves at the tables next to us, and we joined in the conversation.  I quickly noticed a cute guy with a great smile, so I took the initiative and started a conversation.  His name was Ryan, and he had a great energy about him that I was drawn to.  By the end of the night, we exchanged numbers. 

I knew I liked him from that one meeting, but I wasn't looking for anything serious.  I was young and very happy with where I was in my life.  I didn't think I was ready for anything serious.  We talked on the phone a few times that week, and met at Cowboy's the following Wednesday night with friends.  He asked me out on a date for Friday night.  The date was wonderful, nothing special or over the top.  Just dinner and a movie, but the company was what made it great!  As he kissed me goodnight under the porch light, I knew that would be my very last first date.

Exactly one year later, on Septmember 9, 2006, we were married!  He was (and still is) nothing I ever imagined, but everything I dreamed of!

One thoughtless decision on a Wednesday night changed my life.  If I had decided not to go to Cowboy's that night, I'm not sure if my life would be what it is now.  I think God would have brought Ryan into my life some point if we hadn't met that night, but our life probably would be a little different.  We probably would not have gotten married when we did, and we probably wouldn't have our two wonderful sons now.  I still think it's funny that I met my husband in a bar!  He was the last thing I was looking for, but I am so thankful that God led me to him.

Do you have any moments that changed your life forever?  I know there are times when we make a conscience decision about something that we know will have an impact on our life.  But I'm talking about those little decisions that you make without thinking about it.  A moment that you look back on and think about how awesome it was.  And I mean awesome in every sense of the word.  A truly awe-inspiring moment.  Please share!  I would love to hear about it!!

At the age of 17, Ryan was diagnosed with leukemia.  He went through nearly 2 1/2 years of treatment.  His doctors told him not to expect to have kids of his own after so much chemo.  But less than 2 months after our wedding, we found out his doctors were wrong...