Lucky in Love

Britney (step-daughter) and Stephen

     During the time of getting Stephen checked out by Doctors to figure out his diagnosis, my mom had a brilliant idea to set me up with someone.  She told me he was the most patient man and he had to deal with some difficult customers through his work.  She said he was a single dad who loved his daughter very much and his name was "Nathan".  Pretty good sell on her part.  But still I thought this was crazy.  I was in the middle of a divorce, my son was sick with an unknown illness, and my life felt as though it was spinning out of control.  I couldn't help but say "Give him my number, if he calls he calls".  Simple as that.  Well three days went by and I told mom "He hasn't called...just forget it."  Well, that wasn't good enough for mom.  She went to his work and asked him what happened.  He told her he lost my phone number and did not know if he could call her and ask her for it.  She gave him my number AGAIN and he called. 

     We talked about anything and everything.  When he asked about Stephen, I didn't know what to tell him.  "He's fine".  I think I said.  "Your mom said he's got some things wrong with him", he said.  That's when I told him, "He is losing his milestones, we don't know what it is.  We have a neurologist appointment set up to find some answers," I replied.  I don't remember what he said but I do remember thinking "He should run now...I would."  Instead of running, he set up plans with me to meet.  Later he said, "My daughter really wants to meet you..."  I was a little scared at the thought of meeting her on our 1st date.  "If you're okay with it, so am I" was my response.  So we met on 12/31/10 New Years Eve at Olive Garden.  I was so concerned about being liked by his daughter Britney but we hit it off right away.  She danced ballet, so did I when I was a kid.  She was in Girl Scouts, so was I.  I was blown away by how well rounded she was for being so young.  Britney became our conversation piece.  The best part was, the date was super casual and fun!  We went to the movies and saw Mr. Popper's Penguins...I remember thinking, "He IS really nice".  But I had been fooled before by others.
    
     Soon after we had met, we found out Stephen's diagnosis.  I am sure I explained to Nathan what the diagnosis meant and that I would have some really difficult decisions to make as Stephen got sicker.  I am pretty sure I told him, "If you can't deal with this, I understand".  His reply...HE STAYED WITH ME!!!  Not only did he stay with me but his daughter (now my daughter too) really became an AWESOME big sister.  Never a hint of jealousy.  This has all been an adjustment for us but Britney is the best big sister I have EVER seen!  She will go to any lengths to make Stephen laugh and smile...just like the rest of us.
    
     It's hard enough to start dating someone, then add kids into the mix, then add a terminal illness...for some this adds up to disaster.  For us, this just made for one beautiful family full of lots of UNCONDITIONAL love.  We officially became a family on Saint Patrick's Day 2012 and I think I can speak for both Nathan and myself when I say "We are lucky in Love".