This is our story...
We started our long journey in the summer of 2005, at a memorial when neither of us wanted to find someone or settle down. Have you heard the saying when you're not looking for something is when you find it? Through a series of individual blunders, we ended up talking in October of the same year and by Cristmas we were dating. In October of 2006, Linda moved down to Klamath Falls and we started to live and work together.
From 2006 until 2008, we really just enjoyed our time together and learning what it was to be an adult, out in the world, without parents to tell us to go to bed. We found similar interests that we enjoyed doing together and found some friends that we enjoyed. Our jobs really grounded us in what life would be like in Klamath. This was a time of coasting and not doing much. With so little in the way of responsibility, it was a joy to be free. Nevertheless, something was missing from our lives and we were not ready to settle down yet.
In 2008, our family grew with the addition of Petie 1.0, with more on that later. He was a sweet addition to our family. Rubie came the summer of the same year. I wondered how someone could need animals as much as Linda, but no sooner was I attached to Petie that I wanted Cleo to come stay with us, another animal needing a home. That is when we realized that we were needing change and we move in with some roommates.
Living with roommates was something new for our little family and for some time things went really well. In 2011, Steve lost his job and with it half our income. It really was a blessing though, because it made both of us realize it was time to grow up. After months of trying to find a new job, we decided we were ready to face a challenge. ♪ "Hi ho, hi ho, It's back to school we go." ♪ At first, it was just with Klamath Community College, then on to Oregon Institute of Technology, and this time with new found determination. Tragedy struck our little family with Petie dying in the summer of 2012. His poor lungs failed him and departed the world leaving everyone a little sadder. However, when one door closes, another opens.
Here is where PD 2.0 forced his way into our lives. After Petie's death, it took us awhile before we were ready to fill the hole in our hearts. I suggested that we just go and start looking to see if anyone could help with the hole. After looking at all of the little guys at the pound it was suggested that we go and look at a local pet place called Double C. At the shop, there is a book with pets looking for new homes without going to the shelter where they have the option of not getting adopted for whatever reason. In the small section was a listing for another male, silver, toy poodle. While I was gung-ho for getting the pup, Linda wanted to get something different than Petie and not try to replace him. Of course I knew we couldn't replace him but something still made me want to call and ask. When we called, the owner pronounced his name "Pee Dee" so we agreed to at least see the little guy because how could we resist that twist of fate. Linda took a long look at this little dog incessantly barking at us from his owners arms and said "I don't think so" but I insisted that we at least try to help the poor little dog that looked so scared... and she caved. Well that is one time Linda said I was right and she was wrong but she said not to let it go to my head. :-) So our family grew.
Linda and I were working and going to school although Linda didn't like work much without me there and needed something to care about especially with me working and a full time school schedule. With that in spirit, she left work and started to train horses again. She really enjoyed working with the emotionally scarred and equine rescues. These where some good times working through school and getting things done. For a time, we were whole, happy, and satisfied but the mounting pressure from school and work left me in quite the bad place. The stress of full schedules and outside pressures started taking a toll on our relationship. I ended up lashing out at my only safety and Linda decided a change was required. We were apart for almost a year while I started counseling and we repaired the damage. Then in 2015, after we had been back together for awhile and learned how to be a good couple even when it gets tough, I asked her to marry me once again. She said yes! So now here we are 12 years later and now we are finally going to get married and start the next chapter of our lives together.
Really though we could not ask for more. We both have our health, including a couple of spare tires. We have rewarding jobs that we enjoy even on the tough days. School is done. I got my name fixed and, even though neither of us think a piece of paper defines us, we both want this and feel it is important at this point in our lives. We are happy and there is little more we could ask for.
Except maybe a kid or two in the future...
With Love the Fredricksens.
If anyone doesn't already know.