How I Fell in Love with an Expat Who Encouraged Me to Travel the World

I was never one who dreamed of the perfect family with a white picket fence. I didn’t have my wedding planned out or how many children I was going to have. While my friends were getting married and having babies, I was focused on my career. I’ve always been a work-aholic. Several years ago, my friends encouraged me to sign up on a dating site after I had been single for quite some time. I don’t know if they thought I just needed to get out more or what. Did I seem desperate? Reluctantly, I signed up. I was almost immediately bombarded with messages which seemed extremely overwhelming.

By the next morning, I had well over 80-100 messages and had no desire to read every ridiculous pick up line coming my way. I scrolled through and decided to open random photos of those I found to be attractive. I was not looking for a photo of the perfect six pack of abs with no face nor did I want to see anyone holding up his latest catch at the lake. Before I gave up, I clicked one last photo of a man who looked well put together, handsome, and who also happened to be a single dad. Looking back it’s funny how one decision…one moment…ultimately changed the direction of my life.

“I’m English and have an accent but I can provide a translator.”

Who wouldn’t find that funny? That was included in his first message to me. By date three we had exchanged the L word. We ended up having a whirlwind romance that led to our marriage a year later. So, what does this have to do with me traveling the world?

When I was a young girl, there was a joke between my mom and I that I’d marry Prince William. Funny how life really works. My husband, Tim, is from the U.K. An Englishman and proud of it. He started working in his late teens on the shop floor of a major corporation and over time worked his way up to an executive level. This takes incredible determination and consistent hard work. These years in his life gave him the opportunity to travel all over the entire world.

About 2.5 years ago I shared my desire with him to tell stories of people and places from around the world. I can’t name one time where my husband hasn’t supported me. Every wild idea I come up with, he always responds with “I’ll support you in whatever makes you happy.” Ladies and Gentleman-find a partner who supports you like this! He never tells me I can’t accomplish something. Even when it’s something as insane as trekking to Mt. Everest Base Camp.

Since I shared my true desires to travel and share experiences with others, I have been to England, France, Zambia, Dominican Republic, and the list goes on. In fact, some of my travels have even taken me to places my husband hasn’t been (Greece and Africa).  My husband still travels quite a bit too. He’s often in Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Scotland, and England among many others. With each new place he visits, it only stirs my soul to add to my own travel list. He’s well versed in various cultures, open minded and accepting of all around him, and he is my inspiration. We’ve been able to travel a great deal together as well. Most recently, we had a long weekend in Paris. This was by far the best trip we’ve ever taken together. We didn’t follow a schedule. We avoided ‘most’ of the tourist traps and chose to literally walk off the beaten path.

Every single decision we make has the potential to change our path. I never thought by signing up on a dating site that I would fall in love with an expat who would encourage me to travel the world. Life isn’t perfect nor are marriages. We have our ups and downs like everyone. However, no matter the circumstance, he stands by my side and supports me beyond anything I could have ever imagined. I couldn’t have chosen a better path and I’m so glad I clicked ‘that’ picture.