His personal information: Name is Ryan Coberly and he is from Trinidad, CO. Yes, he is a Christian - Southern Baptist at that. He is divorced with 2 kids; Ryanna age 9 & Eric age 4. (Their mom lives in Trinidad; they split custody.) He works for a land surveying company.
Here is the scoop...Matched through eHarmony in the middle of April. I started communication at that time - just kind of flippantly; nothing will happen because he is probably like most guys here who are not members or don't do anything. We then went to daily emails for about 3 weeks. Then started texting on the cell phone, which I realized that the screen is too small and I was getting cramps in the fingers. Which that led to phone conversations. Eharmony suggests 15-20 minutes for the first phone conversation. Yeah, ours was about 1 1/2 hours. We would talk about anything and everything.
Here is the scoop...Matched through eHarmony in the middle of April. I started communication at that time - just kind of flippantly; nothing will happen because he is probably like most guys here who are not members or don't do anything. We then went to daily emails for about 3 weeks. Then started texting on the cell phone, which I realized that the screen is too small and I was getting cramps in the fingers. Which that led to phone conversations. Eharmony suggests 15-20 minutes for the first phone conversation. Yeah, ours was about 1 1/2 hours. We would talk about anything and everything.
We met face to face on Saturday, May 24. He was coming up to get fitted for golf clubs so we went to dinner and mini-golf. He even was brave enough to spend the night with my parents that night. He and my dad played around a golf on Sunday morning. The 2 of us then went to the Rockies game on Sunday. Had a great time both outings.
He came back up the next weekend. We went to lunch on Saturday. I had to work Sat. night at JJill so he and dad went golfing again. He then spent the evening talking with my parents. We hung out after I got off work. He went to church with me on Sunday and survived that. We went to lunch with my parents and then we hung out again. Before he left town, he went and the "intentions" discussion with my parents. They are very happy for us.
I met his children on June 6. They all came up to get the new golf clubs. I wanted to meet the kids more on neutral ground. We had a great night. They even wanted to ride with me when we were going from place to place. We went mini-golfing, to Chick-fil-a for dinner, and then Maggie Moos for ice cream. They stayed with my parents. On Saturday, we went ring shopping. I gave the ideas and he got to pick it. I had permission to start planning the wedding, like booking the church, reception place, looking for a dress. You know, the big stuff!
I went to Trinidad on that Saturday too. The kids rode with me as I followed Ryan down I-25. By then, Ryan was getting a "complex" because his children wanted to be with me more than him. :0 I met his parents, brother, brother's finance, and his grandparents on Saturday night. We went for a drive up to Monument Lake - outside of Trinidad. He proposed with a ring pop. Of course, I said "yes!" On Sunday, I did go to church with him and the kids. It was great to meet the people who he works with and fellowship with. He was helping with a golf tournament so we played in that. He and I were on a team together. We did pretty well, but it was mostly Ryan's doing. We went out to dinner with his best guy friend and his family. It was good to talk with them.
Ryan and the kids came up this past weekend for the circus. It was a lot of fun! The kids spent the night with me at my house-sitting job. (Ryan was staying with my parents.) Ryan and I were watching Leno. He kept trying to hold my hand which I was I kind of resisting because I was comfortable the way I was sitting. He finally locked fingers with me and I thought I had taken off my other rings so I couldn't figure out what was rubbing against my finger. I finally looked down and saw the ring. The first thing out of my mouth was "When did you get this?" and then "Are you kidding me" a couple of times. He got down on his knees and asked again. Of course, I said "yes" or this blog would be wasted space.
I met his children on June 6. They all came up to get the new golf clubs. I wanted to meet the kids more on neutral ground. We had a great night. They even wanted to ride with me when we were going from place to place. We went mini-golfing, to Chick-fil-a for dinner, and then Maggie Moos for ice cream. They stayed with my parents. On Saturday, we went ring shopping. I gave the ideas and he got to pick it. I had permission to start planning the wedding, like booking the church, reception place, looking for a dress. You know, the big stuff!
I went to Trinidad on that Saturday too. The kids rode with me as I followed Ryan down I-25. By then, Ryan was getting a "complex" because his children wanted to be with me more than him. :0 I met his parents, brother, brother's finance, and his grandparents on Saturday night. We went for a drive up to Monument Lake - outside of Trinidad. He proposed with a ring pop. Of course, I said "yes!" On Sunday, I did go to church with him and the kids. It was great to meet the people who he works with and fellowship with. He was helping with a golf tournament so we played in that. He and I were on a team together. We did pretty well, but it was mostly Ryan's doing. We went out to dinner with his best guy friend and his family. It was good to talk with them.
Ryan and the kids came up this past weekend for the circus. It was a lot of fun! The kids spent the night with me at my house-sitting job. (Ryan was staying with my parents.) Ryan and I were watching Leno. He kept trying to hold my hand which I was I kind of resisting because I was comfortable the way I was sitting. He finally locked fingers with me and I thought I had taken off my other rings so I couldn't figure out what was rubbing against my finger. I finally looked down and saw the ring. The first thing out of my mouth was "When did you get this?" and then "Are you kidding me" a couple of times. He got down on his knees and asked again. Of course, I said "yes" or this blog would be wasted space.
We had stopped at Jared's that afternoon so he could find out how long it would take to put the diamond in the setting of a ring. I was in the kids play place with Ryanna & Eric so he could discuss it with the salesperson. Little did I know that he was picking up the ring. He had gone earlier that day to drop off the diamond. Oh by the way, the diamond was in a ring that my dad had. Ryanna and Eric are excited and fine with the engagement.
The girl who doesn't like surprises was pleasantly surprised. It was very spontaneous and wonderful. We are getting married Dec. 31, 2008. Plans are already in motion. Hopefully, a lot of it will be done by the time school starts.
We have seen God's hand in this so much! There are so many little stories that would take a long time to explain most of them. We are determined to keep God in the center of our relationship and our focus on Him. Nothing has been done without prayer and talking to each other. Our lives have intersected the last 8 years or so - he's refereed a couple of ECA basketball games. We laugh a lot! We talk on the phone daily and it amazes us that we don't run out of things to say.
I would like some prayer help! When you think about it, would you pray for us? We do know that our relationship has been very quick, but we feel like we have known each other for a very long time. Please pray that we would continue to put God first. Pray too that we would have discernment and wisdom when talking with people who may be happy for us, but have doubts (sorry if this offends you too). Pray for Ryan as he looks for a job - that the right one would come along. Pray for his kids (Ryanna & Eric) and me as we continue to build our relationships. It has been very natural so far, but we know that it always won't be easy.
