So I begin...

So over 20 years ago, I had just graduated college and was working as a manager in a restaurant, a manager in a cellular store, and waitressing and bar tending because I was not sure I really wanted to do my chosen progression. Then my grandmother passed away and my mother went to help my grandfather take care of the business he needed help with doing. So I also began teaching a preschool class that she taught. After I took over the preschool class, a family moved here from Texas for the mom to start working as the children's minister in my church and the preschool in which I taught. They had two daughters, one of which was 4 and placed in my preschool class. Little did I know what this family would end up meaning to me. 

So I taught this young lady and met with her parents for conferences and kindergarten readiness talks, etc. Then I got a position teaching music in another part of the state. So I moved. And moved again to a different state, where I met and married my first husband and had the one true love of my life - my daughter. Seeing very quickly into the marriage that it was not going to work - which was a huge blow to me, I did not believe in divorce at all - I chose to move back home to be near a built in support system for my daughter in ny family. 

Over the years, this mom, that moved when I was teaching preschool, and I became close and then I became the youth choir director. She and her husband and I were best friends. We did everything together - as much as I could as a single mom with multiple jobs and no help from my daughters father. Life went on. 

And then it stopped. One summer my best friend was diagnosed with cancer. One month and one day later, she died. I was there. Her husband - my other best friend and the only other person in this world I trusted with my feelings and inner thoughts - was, at the very least, beyond devastated. 

I am ashamed to admit I was not there for him during this time. He says he wasn't there for me. That I was grieving too and the only person I could talk to (him) wasn't there either. 

Almost a year later, one of our "kids" got married. We were there - not together, but together. At one point during the reception, I was passing him and squeezed his hand - just saying I know you miss your wife and I know this is hard for you and I love you. Later he told me that when I did that, he realized he never wanted me to let go again. 

So to make a long story short - we were married a little before two years after my best friend and his wife passed. I cannot say it's been easy. It's still a hell of a hard time. I will never be accepted by his daughters as part of his family. Our grandson will never truly be my grandson - even though I love him as such. It's sucks if I allow myself to think about it. 

BUT this blog isn't about that. During this time of finally realizing what love truly is - romantic love that is - and finding the one I am meant to be with, we have both been on a journey of getting healthier. Some of it was in preparation for the wedding, some just for basic health reasons of weight loss etc., and some because of some impending health issues warned by the doctor. 

In a little over two years, I myself have lost almost 100 pounds and my husband almost 75. A friend of mine told me once recently we should blog about our lifestyle and recipes and such. I scoffed at her, but several people have continued to mention it and so I thought I would take a stab at doing just so. 

I will begin by simply posting a picture of me from two years ago (I had already lost probably 30 pounds here) and from a couple of weeks ago. It's at a county music event held every two years and the difference is pretty amazing I think. I could be wrong though. 

I will try to keep up with this, posting some of our favorite recipes found from books and of course Pinterest - just realize I do not tend to follow recipes very well. And I do not measure things. It drives my husband crazy!!

Thanks for visiting and listening and I hope you get something from here. 

Tiffany