The Story of Us: 12 Years in the Making
Reyce and Natalie, forever.
As we stand on the threshold of parenthood, this past Valentine's Day and the month of February felt different. It's been a true milestone of our past, our resilience, our intense love for one another, and the beautiful new life we'll welcome into the world this month (literally within less than ten days?!).
I thought it'd be a lovely — and timely — idea to celebrate our love and share my admiration for the man who's been my rock for over 12 years by telling a story of how we met.
So here's to us, Reyce, to the unbounded love that's carried us this far and to the dreamiest future we're building together, one day at a time.
High School Crushes and Night Hikes
Our story kicked off in a Sophomore theatre class, of all places, where late-night Facebook chats shortly blossomed into something more. Our first date was unconventional — a night hike through the San Tan Mountains. While that sounds a bit bizarre in hindsight, in reality, it was the perfect setting for us. The night we officially became a couple was under a sky lit by fireworks from a nearby Fall Festival, a kiss sealing our bond in a moment that felt like a scene from my favorite rom-com.
I admittedly don't tell him this enough, but from the first moment I looked at him, there was something about Reyce that whispered, "He's the one."
I doused my firey instincts to flirt with him due to his then-girlfriend. But when word got out about their split as our sophomore year ended over the famous Fabeook status to "single," I squealed at the prospect of an unforgettable summer ahead.
Reyce was (and still is), undoubtedly, the epitome of "my type." He was the handsome olive-skinned boy with luscious, dark, fluffy hair everyone knew and loved. He was the star actor at every school play and founded the classic Jokerfish Iprove troupe at Gilbert High School, which was such a hit even the jock football players came to the school's crowded Little Theatre for a lunch show. He's brilliant, intelligent, and sensitive. Reyce Carrasco is the quintessential man that's often written about in romance novels, and while he does possesses a few quirks that piss me off (like horrible text communication), I have near zero room to complain.
College and Navigating the Early 20’s
Then came college. Gone were the days when you shared the same schedule with all your best friends, and the actual "fun" began: an entry into adulthood with definitive responsibility and dreaded deadlines that could make or break your future.
He stayed at the dorms during his first year, and I tried to save money at my dad's to live off my 4-year scholarship that didn't include room and board (Universities have to make their money somehow, right?).
I'd spend every night at his tiny, deeply underfunded dorm building, where the baseboards were moldy and the carpet soiled by last week's beer crawl. This is where we spent most of our time together — sharing corridors with his roommate, who strangely loved the Capitol Cities, and spent every weekend discovering the next best hiking trail with new pals. He and I dove into individual interests and career paths, sealing the end of adolescence and the beginning of personal growth and identity.
College was incredible, but it was hard. We went through various rough patches; it's hard to give your all in a relationship when juggling your sense of existential self. It's nearly impossible, actually. With my constant travel schedule and his dedication to being his building's top Resident Advisor (RA) — regular check-ins became scarce, confidence grew weary, and mental health struggles sparked.
It's challenging to know who you are, what you want out of life, and how to convey those confusing feelings to someone you love immensely but can't devote time to.
The early 20s can be a real bitch.
But despite the more irregular spots in our relationship during those brief middle years, we shared even more beautiful memories, too. We road-tripped around Iceland's ring road in some tiny SUV with the bit of cash we had saved up from waiting tables weeks prior. We innocently explored each other's bodies, remaking on specific details we didn't get to in high school. We made new friends whom we still talk and hang with today. Most importantly — we took a chance on the runt of a Shepard litter from a 100-acre ranch in Laveen, Arizona, and named the wild puffball River. He just passed his 9th birthday.
Like all the best things in life — there's never a linear progression path. It's an equally nuanced and not-so-serious line of experience we all employ to become closer to one another, more open to communication, and more in love.
Finding Jobs, Degrees, and Finally — Getting Hitched
Our love journey continued after college, moving into a quirky, self-built loft we lovingly called "the barn" in the backyard of his grandfather's property, right next to our old high school. We spent countless nights (and by "we," I mostly mean "he") putting up drywall, cleaning, and rearranging the garage downstairs to make way for stairs leading up, turning what was once a simple casita built by his grandfather into our cozy little haven. It's also where we welcomed Laika, our beloved Husky mix from a local shelter, who quickly went from foster to forever family member.
Then, after the rollercoaster year of 2020 and Reyce's thrilling stints as a wildland firefighter in the dense forests of the American West, he popped the question. A decade into our journey together, he proposed at the peak of the Grand Tetons — and it was the easiest "yes" I've ever said. We tied the knot under the Harvest Moon right in his grandfather's yard, surrounded by our nearest and dearest, fantastic music, great drinks, and an incredible vibe from everyone we love. My grandma rocked her favorite dress, my 13 bridesmaids never looked better, and my shoes were off when I finished my short rib dinner.
It was, without a doubt, the most perfect day.
Buying a House & Getting Pregnant
Just days after our wedding, we made the leap and bought our first home, affectionately dubbed "Juniper." I've already penned a few pieces about this charming, quirky place: one detailing my frustrations with homeowners' associations and another chronicling our renovation adventures. Sure, we've got permanent splinters, and the realities of homeownership have certainly toughened us up, but we wouldn't have it any other way. Sharing this journey with the person I trust most is a profound joy in my life. We're far from done, and our to-do list is daunting, especially with a baby on the way, but Reyce and I have never been ones for sitting still.
This leads us to the latest big news. After our annual trip abroad in 2023, exploring the lush jungles of Costa Rica, we returned with something unexpected: a positive pregnancy test. That little blue cross symbol suddenly meant the world to us. I remember it vividly: a sweltering afternoon in June after a much-needed nap on the couch, feeling unusually exhausted. The test turned positive almost instantly.
I was a mix of shaking, crying, and laughing.
We weren't exactly trying for a baby, but then again, we were. After some fun times in the jungle (maybe too much information?), we started putting the pieces together but didn't stress over it. We adopted a laid-back attitude: "If it happens, great. If not, we have plenty of time to keep trying." We then got dressed and strolled to the hotel café for some iced tea and red wine, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Now, nine months later, I'm proudly sporting a huge belly and counting down less than ten days until we meet our daughter.
From Two, To Three
Everyone talks about the symptoms, the postpartum challenges, and the wonder of childbirth. What they often leave out is the heartache you'll feel when you realize it's no longer just you and your partner.
After 12 years together, facing everything that Reyce and I have, I can't help but feel a sense of loss for that era. Sure, we're about to welcome our new little bestie into the world, ready to teach her about the beauty of nature, the desert wildlife, and the importance of kindness. Yet, this is a chapter I've never navigated before. You'd think I might crave a change after a decade with the same person, but I find myself already missing the days when it was just the two of us.
However, I also feel a thrilling anticipation for this new soul joining our lives, a perfect mix of us. She'll have a strong sense of self and open our eyes to aspects of the world we've never considered, allowing us to see the beauty of the Earth through fresh eyes.
My boss recently told me how proud he is of me, and when I shared my excitement for this new chapter, he said, "Ha – it's like a whole new fucking book." That really resonated with me.
I'm someone who thrives on change and the thrill of the unexpected; it's what makes life exciting. Reyce and I have done everything we've wanted to do together, and our bucket list is nearly complete.
Now, it's time for us to embark on a new adventure in love and partnership, whether it involves midnight diaper changes or figuring out which grandparent can babysit so we can have a moment to ourselves.
So, yeah, I'm ready. But more than that, I'm eager to dive into this journey, mainly because I get to do it with someone as amazing as Reyce. I'm not just prepared; I'm downright thrilled.
It's you and me, babe.
Always has, always will.
