One year ago today...

Hey everybody!

It was exactly one year ago today that I arrived in Colorado after leaving Columbus. It's so hard to believe it's actually been a year! My life has taken so many turns, but I never could have even imagined the fulfillment that living here has brought to me. So here are some of the events that have happened in a year's time:

1. I got a new ACL! - So my knee was never right after April of 2006, but now I'm back in action. I also graduated from physical therapy today, so I'm ready to kick some butt!

2. 6 14ers! - I hiked up 6 of the highest mountains in the lower 48, which was pretty cool. There's still a lot more to do, but I'm ready!

3. I got involved at church. - I joined the young adult group at my church not knowing what it would be like, since I've never done anything like that. I can't believe the impact that has had on my life. I've made some great friends, and I'm a lot closer to God.

4. I live 45 minutes from my best friend! - Brett's a great friend. He's the kind of person that's always ready for an adventure, but he is also there for you when you need to talk to someone. My knee kinda screwed up our Winter plans, but we've seen a lot of this place together (when I don't have pepper spray in my eyes), and I'm sure that will continue. Cheers buddy!

5. Last, but definitely not least, I met Allison. - I never knew someone so wonderful could exist on this planet. She's taught me so much in so little time, and I'm so lucky to have met her. I'm so much more at peace now, and I think attribute a lot of that to her. Seriously, my road rage has decreased like 95%, and the drivers here are really bad! Anyhow, we both arrived in Colorado a few blocks and months apart, and when I saw her a few times, I prayed that God would help me get to know her better, and He did. One night a friend was too sick to drive home (actually ill, not intoxicated), and I said I'd drive him home in his truck, but that I'd need someone to follow and take me back to my car. It turns out, Allison was one of two people present, and the only one who volunteered. Well, my prayers were answered, and I got her number that night. At the time we didn't realize how close we lived to each other, and we were both surprised to find that out. Before that, she had given me some cookies that she forgot to give to the elderly on one of our young adult group's service nights, and she had been on my mind ever since then. After that, I really wanted to thank her for the cookies, but didn't know who she was or anything. I prayed for a way to thank her, and sure enough she showed up and sat next to me at church on Sunday the next week! I was starting to wonder if I was imagining all this, but when I went home for Thanksgiving it got even clearer. Everywhere I went, I kept hearing "Allison". For example, the flight attendant's name was Allison, my dad told me all the neighbor's were home except for Allison, and I was also told how my cousin Allison was home from school. After all that, how could I stop thinking about her? Of course it was also funny that I had just had knee surgery, and she was taking classes to get into school for physical therapy. She ended up doing a lot of observation hours at my clinic too, so it really feels like our lives are supposed to be intersecting. It's crazy to think that had I googled another church or apartment complex, we probably would never have met, but I'm so thankful we did, and I know that some things happen because they're supposed to.

That's all I got for now. It's bedtime, but I just had to put this out here on the anniversary of my arrival. Hope all is well,

Ryan