My 40 Year Dash

Our family life blossomed with even more kids, as well as a move to a house steeped in local history. Amidst a thriving business and deep community ties, the beautiful chaos of a big family unfolded. Rooted in our hometown, we embraced the messy, wonderful journey of raising our children. Our story became, and continues to be, deeply interwoven with the spirit of our hometown, a testament to the e...

The exhilarating launch of my agency screeched to a halt with a stunning lawsuit from my former employer. Suddenly, building my dream became a desperate fight for survival. The weight of the legal battle threatened to crush my fledgling business before it even took flight.

Escaping the confines of my old agency, keeping my clients became a fierce priority, with an unexpected ally stepping in to help. The thrill of setting up my own office was soon eclipsed by a surprising partnership offer – a chance to build something bigger, together. Choosing collaboration over independence felt like a risk, but the potential for growth and shared success was too powerful to igno...

Family and entrepreneurial urges led me to launch my own insurance agency. A dead-end at my current job, marked by broken promises and a non-compete, forced my hand. Encouraged by industry support, I took the exhilarating leap into entrepreneurship. It was a high-stakes bet on myself and a declaration of independence. The adventure began.

Leaving the demanding call center, I sought a local career in Ames, unexpectedly finding it in insurance. But the familiar pull of ministry tugged at my heart, creating a crossroads. A powerful conversation with a mentor illuminated a surprising truth: my drive to serve could thrive just as brightly in the business world. This revelation sparked a decisive career shift, fueled by a newfound purpos...

Trading the call center for a local insurance gig felt like a fresh start, but a sudden loss brought an unexpected sorrow. Amidst the grief, the news of our second child sparked hope. And as a critical career challenge loomed, our newest addition's dramatic entry into the world became a powerful turning point, intertwining professional survival with the intensely personal and transformative journe...

The chaotic joy of new parenthood collided with career shifts and a move, all while a crazy side hustle fueled a dream anniversary trip - a hilarious disaster culminating in the most bizarre and unforgettable discovery in a Chicago alley. It wasn't the anniversary we envisioned, but the shared absurdity forged an unbreakable bond, proving that lasting memories are often the ones you never plan for...

The anticipation of our first child brought a whirlwind of changes: a new, quirky home and a spirited beagle puppy joined our lives. But the true adventure began with the exhausting joy of our daughter's birth. Those early days, a chaotic symphony of love and sleeplessness, were made even funnier by our beagle's utterly perplexed reaction to this tiny, loud human. It was the wonderfully messy open...

The first months of marriage were a rollercoaster of canceled dreams and career hurdles, yet a vibrant community rallied around us. As I unexpectedly climbed the career ladder, life delivered another twist: the joyous news of our impending parenthood. It was a powerful collision of professional ambition and the deeply personal, life-altering journey of starting a family, all interwoven with the st...

A new career launched alongside the exhilarating countdown to "I do." The wedding day itself was a whirlwind of joy, the perfect prelude to the quiet excitement of creating a home together. With dreams of the future dancing in our heads, every moment felt charged with the thrilling energy of a brand new, shared adventure.

Love inspired a leap of faith, trading my fulfilling role with teens for a stable career and a surprise proposal hundreds of miles away. Her "yes" in Denver was the exhilarating turning point, a clear end to one meaningful chapter and the exciting start of another. Witnessing a former athlete's final high school race became a deeply emotional goodbye to that impactful era, as I embraced a future a...

A life-changing trip overseas unexpectedly forged a powerful bond with someone waiting back home. The distance amplified a connection into undeniable love, leading to a swift and exciting new chapter upon my return. Finding a place to call our own became the first step on a path neither of us could have predicted, a testament to a connection that transcended miles.

A boring class held an electrifying surprise. An unexpected connection sparked, defying my usual guarded approach to relationships. Deep conversations hinted at a shared future, and meeting my family felt like the start of something significant. Even with distance on the horizon, a powerful bond had formed, promising a story far more riveting than any classroom lecture.

My twenties unexpectedly became a proving ground, not just for coaching church sports but for navigating the messy terrain of early adulthood. Community connections deepened, but romantic pursuits often led to comical missteps. Balancing these romantic fumbles with the demands of college and youth work created a uniquely relatable, and often humorous, journey of finding my way.

Pat wasn't just a mentor; he was a constant in my life's narrative. As he embarked on a new chapter, I found myself navigating unexpected turns – from the intensity of coaching to the chaotic world of band management. Though his absence left a void, the unexpected friendships and opportunities that arose painted a picture of growth and change, all anchored by the unwavering support of my dad. It w...

My entry into coaching wasn't about the wins; it was about the connections. Alongside a coach with a champion pedigree, I mentored a group of ragtag runners, finding sparks of potential and unexpected friendships. But my post-college life took another surprising turn when I became the unlikely manager for a band of college musicians. It was a chaotic, inspiring mix of youthful energy and the unexp...

College took a backseat when I discovered a powerful calling: leading youth. Suddenly, I was more coach than student, more mentor than classmate. This unexpected path, filled with laughter, challenges, and the raw energy of teenagers, ignited a passion I never knew I had. It wasn't the college experience I imagined, but it was undeniably where I was meant to be.

My new journey began with a simple poster board and a desire to connect. Despite being just seventeen, I found that enthusiasm was contagious. Surprisingly, I also found myself with a part in the youth group band! Balancing this new adventure with moving into a house near campus and starting college created a whirlwind of new experiences. While navigating classes and a part-time job, I discovered...

The end of senior year track was a whirlwind, balancing final races with graduation and future plans. But as the track shoes came off, and the promise of summer began, a surprising conversation sparked a completely new direction. The finish line of one race became the starting line of another.

The state cross country meet wasn't just a race; it was the culmination of years of training and a final chance to leave it all on the line. The pre-dawn breakfast and the long drive buzzed with nervous energy. The race was a blur of effort, the roar of the crowd a physical presence, as I pushed through the pain, driven by the desire to make my last high school race count. The day was a mix of per...

Senior year cross country was intense, marked by a strong rivalry that pushed me. A surprising win boosted my confidence and an unexpected dance invite, from a future track star, added another memorable element to the season. Now, with the team united and the state meet looming, the season felt like it was building towards something truly significant.

Despite a frustrating series of finishes in cross country, my social life was taking an unexpected and fun turn. New and unforeseen experiences at Homecoming were in store. Balancing this with cross country made for an interesting start to the season. ... and this is only "part 1"!

The cross country season roared to life, fueled by a summer of intense training. Each race felt like a battle for the top spot. Would victory remain just out of reach? A surprising invitation to another school's homecoming dance added an unexpected layer to the already intense season. The burning desire to finally break through and claim first place only intensified with each meet.

Track camp at ISU felt surreal, being so close to home yet living in a dorm. The heat was relentless, and the competition was immediate. A surprising rivalry emerged, pushing me in unexpected ways. Beyond the grueling runs, a brief, chance meeting with another athlete made the intense week worthwhile.

The end of the track season brought a mix of farewells and anticipation for the future. Some teammates were moving on, while others, like me, were looking ahead to the next running goals. Our new coach had a different approach to summer training to build endurance. A memorable conversation with that coach that summer really shifted my perspective on my running potential. Between training, working...