Three Life-Changing Events That Shaped My Journey

Life is full of unexpected moments that can dramatically alter the course of our lives. Three major events have shaped my journey in ways that were initially the furthest things from my mind. Let me share these remarkable turning points with you.

First Marriage: The Accidental Proposal

At the age of 35, I found myself ending a tumultuous 4-year relationship, not in search of a new one. My plans were simple: no dating, no marriage.

Then, fate had other plans. An accidental lunch led to an evening dinner, which turned into a second lunch the following day. From the third lunch, an unexpected proposal came out of the blue. I accepted the surprise marriage proposal from my fiance, a lawyer who recently moved to Switzerland with an apartment in a lakeside castle.

The idea of marriage and living in Switzerland was the furthest from my mind as I never envisioned myself stepping outside my comfort zone to this extent. Yet, life’s sometimes strange twists have a way of leading us down the paths we least expect.

Second Marriage: From Friendly Colleague to Husband

At 50, I was divorced in Houston and working with the same lawyer, T, who had trained me right out of law school. His wife was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer and passed away soon after.

A night of bullshitting about a pending trial was memorable for nothing more than idle chatter, until T made a surprising statement. Suddenly, he placed his hand on mine and said, "Why don’t we make this non-platonic?"

I froze, as my mentor and dear friend was attracted to me. This was a far cry from my expectations, as male colleagues were often described as 'racehorses' by T, and I felt like a 'pony' in comparison. Neither of these scenarios ever entered my mind before that fateful night. Over 28 years, T had experience with multiple partners, and I didn't see myself in any of them.

Remarkably, T and I became more than friends. When T became my husband, it was the furthest thing from my mind. Us becoming a couple was an unexpected and profound change in our professional and personal lives.

9 Months in Hell: A Miraculous Recovery

Six months into our marriage, T and I went for a dinner with some friends. Without warning, T’s behavior became erratic. He fainted, and within minutes, the medical team diagnosed him with a massive stroke. His recovery was a long and arduous process.

During those three days, the medical team gave us a grim prognosis. But I had faith in T. I believed he was tougher than the doctors gave him credit for. Six weeks later, T regained consciousness. The doctors were amazed, and T eventually came out of the medically induced coma.

Despite coming home with a significant physical and cognitive challenge, T's fortitude never wavered. Paralyzed on one side, he was still 'all there' in spirit. We spent months in nursing and rehab facilities, but eventually, T got home, and life returned to a semblance of normalcy.

Each of these events was a turning point in my life. They all unfolded in ways I had never imagined, yet they shaped who I am today. From unexpected proposals to unforeseen marriages and life-altering health crises, these were the furthest things from my mind, and yet they became integral parts of my journey.