We will always remember

The story of how we met

Many of you have heard our story but there are also many that haven’t. I think it would be safe to say that most everyone loves hearing a good “how did you meet each other” story. Here is mine and Derek’s.

7 years ago today, our lives were changed forever. It was as we watched our friends’ ship off on military business and 24 hour heartbreaking news reports that Derek and I, roommates at the time, thought it would be best to take a break from it all and go for a drive up the mountain. We just drove for hours. We found ourselves at the top of the mountain overlooking Colorado Springs, our home at the time. As we watched all the city lights flicker on we just sat and talked about the events we had witnessed. Oddly, but understandable, we were the only ones there as we knew everyone was glued to their televisions hoping they would wake up from the nightmare. I lost track of time and knew deep down both of us had to return to reality soon. We decided to blast some music, knowing we wouldn’t bother anyone, and just danced.

When we finally returned home it was early hours of the morning.

(9 months earlier)
I met Derek in the mall. He was working at the coffee shop Gloria Jeans and I was doing a holiday shift at Gymboree (a children’s clothing store). I made coffee runs everyday for my boss and co-workers and I was instantly attracted to Derek. I continued to order my drinks from him, Peppermint Mocha for me. At the time I was going through a separation so pursuing Derek was not an option, though it didn’t stop a few flirtatious moves. He didn’t even take notice. I figured he must have a girlfriend. I stopped working at the mall after Christmas and became engrossed in my failing marriage. I found myself disconnected from things I loved, including my school work. At the time I was training to be an EMT, a life-long dream. I pushed through school and made it to finals. The day of finals, I woke up not wanting to live. I contemplated suicide. I never made it to finals and my life-long dream of working on an ambulance ended that moment. Instead of being the strong, independent person I thought I was, I became a carefree, unhibited alcoholic. I started partying non-stop and not paying bills. My marriage was annulled a few days later and I threw a huge party that night. I was now free from an emotionally harmful relationship. I never looked back.

The night of my party, I knew I had nothing left. I was a school drop-out, had no job and was about to lose my apartment, car, and cell phone. The answer, alcohol. I got pretty drunk that night and as I stumbled around my apartment I noticed more people than I invited had shown up. My apartment was packed. As I introduced myself to the newest arrivals I noticed a familiar face, Derek. I couldn’t process how or why he was there and I didn’t really care. He was attached to a brunette female anyway. Sometime later I decided to go for a walk by myself. I practically fell down my apartment stairs and vaguely remember Derek sitting at the bottom in tears. I overheard him saying, “But she cheated!” “Ugh! Drama.” I said.

I feel asleep on the park bench for awhile. I don’t remember the rest of the night but somehow in the next few weeks, Derek left his cheating girlfriend and moved in with me as a roommate. I was hoping to save my apartment and needed a few roommates to help pay for the rent. During his stay with me, he helped turn me in the right direction. Alcohol became a distant memory and I became interested again in the things I loved. Derek spent many hours helping to rebuild my self esteem that had been damaged previously. I had hopes and dreams again.

September 11, 2001
Our lives were changed forever. Many precious lives were lost and unbeknownst to everyone but God, a new one was created. Two weeks later our amazing daughter Madisyn made her presence known. September 11, 2001 marks the day a nation came together. To our family, it marks the day Derek saved me.


I love you Derek, till dealth do us part.


Our prayers go out to everyone on this day.