Ruffled Feathers

I was born in Stillwater, Oklahoma and lived in and around there for a few years before my parents took a chance on a job opportunity and moved our family to Austintown, Ohio. That same job took us to Fernley, Nevada a year later and Twin Falls, Idaho four years after that. I have lived in Idaho since New Years Day of 1999 with my only break being a two year church service mission in Denver, Colorado. I have been blessed to live in a variety of places, meet a lot of different people, and experience different styles of life. I credit my parents for giving me these opportunities. Without their faith to get up and move across the country multiple times I wouldn't have been given these chances to learn and grow. Fireflies in Ohio, New England in the fall, actual mountains(sorry Appalachians, you're just hills), tornadoes in Oklahoma, scorpions in Nevada, potato guns in Idaho, and college in Pocatello. All of these opportunities for growth have rubbed off on me in one way or anoth...

I was waiting for church to start when I saw her for the first time. She was wearing a white dress and, in my 22 year old immature mind I thought, does she want some fries with that shake? She was visiting with a girl I knew pretty well and I knew I had my opening. I had "broken up" with a girl I thought I was going to marry a few months prior and we were still seeing each other off and on when I met Caitlin. I was not in a good place. The relationship was everything a relationship shouldn't be and it showed in most aspects of my life. I wasn't happy. Together, we were like fire and gasoline. We didn't bring out the best in each other. I was clingy and downright creepy at times. She was the first girl I had ever loved and I held on too long. I made plenty of poor choices. Finally, through the persistence and help of a few true friends, I cut all ties and never looked back. After the first hour of church we headed to Sunday School where I was sitting in front o...