Finding My Solemate

I've heard from a lot of people that when you stop looking for something it finds you. So I stopped. I had given up on the whole happiness thing. The idea that you can find someone who is your other half, but then he walked through my door.

This is Garry Gribble's Running Sports. This is where I work.

I was working in my running store, when this guy walks in looking for running shoes. I was instantly intrigued by him. I had seen him in before and I even sold him some shoes. However, we never took the time to talk to each other and this time was different. We talked.

I started the fitting process. I asked him what he was training for and his answer really surprised me. He was trying to qualify for the Olympic trails for the marathon distance. I mean, who says that? That right there made me instantly attracted to him. That is a lot of dedication and hard work for a goal as big as that one. He wanted a couple pairs of shoes. One to train in and another to race in. I panicked slightly, because I didn't have any racing flats in store, but knew I could order them. He always wears adidas. So that's what we got him. Two pairs for Grandma's Marathon. I checked him out at the register and got his name. Josh. After he left, I added him on Facebook. He apparently didn't get the hint. It wasn't until we met again that we finally started to talk.

I was racing the Skyline Shuffle 5k at Clinton Lake a few weeks after I had met him. I was talking to some people at the finish line, when I see a pair of shoes running the opposite direction of people trying to finish. I recognized those shoes. Adidas Supernovas. It was Josh. There he goes running with split shorts and his shoes. I waved at him and yelled, "Hi Josh!" He kept running. That's when he messaged me on Facebook. 

This is my 3rd place female trophy for the Skyline Shuffle. I sent this picture to Josh when he messaged me that night.

It took a couple of weeks and I finally had to ask him out. He said yes and we went out the next day. Our first date was amazing and really all we needed to realize that we were the perfect pair. We went to each other's races, went on road trips, moved in and adopted a dog! We adopted Nova from our local shelter. She is named after the adidas Supernova shoes that I sold Josh when we first met. 

This is Nova's gotcha day! The first thing we did is bring her to the store. Photo courtesy of John Knepper.

Shortly after we adopted Nova, Josh planned a night out at Clinton Lake to watch the sunset. I was closing that day at the store. We were about to lock the doors when a last minute family came in looking for some help. Of course, we helped them. By the time I made it home and Josh and I drove out at the lake, the sun was already setting. We walked down to my favorite spot on the Blue Trail. It was already twilight. Josh and I were looking out in the lake. He was holding me and telling me how much he loved me. Suddenly, I turn around and there he is on one knee. Of course I said "Yes!" Then my parents popped out of the bushes to surprise me! They had been waiting there the whole time. 

My dad took this photo right after I said "Yes!" to Josh's proposal. 

Since then we have tied the knot! It was the best day of our lives We both wore the first running shoes we had when we first met. Josh was wearing a custom made adidas Supernovas in our wedding colors. I wore an all white Hoka Hupanas. We were very comfortable throughout our wedding. Now I have my running partner for life! 

I found my Solemate. Photo courtesy of Wandering Stars Wedding Photography. 

Playing the question game with our shoes. Photo courtesy of Wandering Stars Wedding Photography.

What do you do to celebrate your marriage? You throw a 5k and 10k race the next day for all your family and friends. This is our first race as husband and wife!

Photo courtesy of John Knepper.