As the Oklahoma Youth Hunting Program kicked off for the weekend. I had brought Cameron, eager for him to experience his first real hunt. He was fourteen then, and I could see the same excitement in his eyes.

Early Friday morning, just as the sun began to crest over the trees, Cameron got his chance to sit in his first blind. As we waited what seemed like forever a doe stepped into the clearing, and with steady hands and a deep breath, he took the shot. Clean, precise—just like he’d practiced. I could see the pride in his face the moment it was over, and I felt it just as deeply. (I may have cried a little). When we got back to camp, the whole group congratulated him. I knew this was a moment he’d never forget.

That Saturday night, after the evening of tracking a deer with Dusty and Jax. A campfire was made for the evening to the kids to tell their story. As the campfire burned bright. The flames danced, and the scent of roasting marshmallows filled the air. That’s when I found myself sitting next to Dusty, the mentor who had put the entire weekend on. I figured this was my chance to do a subtle flirt. I made him a s'more.

The night stretched on with conversation, easy laughter, and a feeling I hadn’t expected—a spark that flickered just like the embers of the fire.

By the end of the weekend, Cameron had his first doe, and I had something just as unforgettable—something that started with a campfire, a s’more, and a chance meeting that already felt like fate.

In the weeks after Dusty and I started a never-ending conversation that led to our beautiful and adventurous lives.

National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum

Bricktown

Oklahoma City Zoo

Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum