A few weeks over three years ago, I had just moved my family from small town Minnesota to small town Texas. I was stressed, already losing sleep, and wondering what in the hellz I was doing there. The Oz man was a standard fixture at the gym when we hit town and one evening, as I was trying to wind things up, the boss man steps into my office and says, “What’s this about?” and nods towards the front door.
I peeked out and there stood a ginormous dark haired stranger that was big as a house but was smiling and already talking to one of the locals. I looked at Rip and said, “Did you get that for ME?” Ya know, kind of a housewarming gift? Guess not. I walked out and introduced myself and he said his name was Matt and he was looking to train. Well sure big fella, come on in and train. Heh.
And that’s how it started. We saw Bigg Matt here and there, you just never knew when you’d walk into the gym and see him sitting at the tables. There were even times where he’d show up, train and entertain us, and then show up again a few weeks later with a trip to Serbia that had come and gone in between. The dude knew how to travel. It’s one of the things we’ve really enjoyed together.
As time went by, we’d talk more about life and stuff. Both of us walked through some fires during this time, his up north and mine down south, but certainly we enjoyed infrequent visits. When we finally got to a point where ‘hey, something may be going on here’ hit, we were doing the long distance thing and much of our “together” was on-line.
So much so that when we finally moved into ‘FB official status’ we chose to pick a date to celebrate an anniversary. And here we are. It’s been a heck’v a ride and we’ve even walked through a few fires ourselves, but here we are. In all mushy honesty, it’s quite a life we’re building here. Matt’s family has been one big hug and I adore them. Milwaukee has been very good for the Oz man and I and we’re still standing strong. He’s my rock. I’m a lucky girl.
Talking about the Oz man, that first night back in Wichita Falls? I shamed Matt into pushing the prowler and when I wanted to pack up and head home for the night, I found Oz outside sternly telling Matt exactly how he was to put it away. It made me lulz. Who knew that the day would come where these two would geek off against each other on a daily basis. Truth.
He’s the reason tosabarbell exists; he’s the reason I’ve found peace (and sleep); and he’s the reason life Iz Gooood.
Happy Anniversary Bigg. xoxo
Courage means to keep working a relationship, to continue seeking solutions to difficult problems, and to stay focused during stressful periods.
Denis Waitley
