Love Unexpected: A true-life romance about a woman who took her dream trip and found unexpected love

After everything that happened the night before, I couldn’t shake the anger I felt toward Willy.

But that anger didn’t stay simple for long.

When I saw him give flowers to another woman, something unexpected rose up in me—jealousy, confusion… and a realization I didn’t want to face.

So I made a decision:
I would avoid him at all costs.

As we prepared to leave Poland, I felt something else pulling at me too—a growing sense that I was meant to return and teach the children there.

But before our flight to Ukraine, I reluctantly agreed to spend a few hours exploring Warsaw with him and Trish.

What I expected to be uncomfortable… wasn’t.

And somewhere between running errands, picking up a new team member, and a quiet taxi ride through the city, something shifted again.

By the time we arrived in Ukraine, my heart was full of hope for what the week ahead would hold.

But every time I was near him, the same tension returned.

He seemed interested.

And I was determined not to be distracted.

Even if something inside me was beginning to change.

And I could feel it getting harder to resist.

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Music:

Where to Next by Ritchie Everett | Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

Other music by ⁠@JoeEPmusic

I thought I knew why I was there.

But as Willy continued to seek me out, I felt a tension I couldn’t ignore. I was certain I wasn’t interested in him romantically… and yet, something about him felt significant—like he might hold a key to my future.

Determined to stay focused, I poured myself into the mission. And after a meaningful day of outreach, I was reminded again of why I came.

But that night, everything shifted.

An unexpected intruder entered our cabin, turning a peaceful evening into a frightening hostage ordeal—and leaving me shaken.

And in the aftermath, I realized something else had changed too…

Not just fear—

but a coldness had settled in my heart toward Willy.

I thought he would run to my rescue… but he took his time.

And for the first time, I wondered if I had seen everything all wrong.

See pictures and videos related to this episode ⁠here⁠.

Please subscribe to this podcast on ⁠Spotify⁠

Music:

Where to Next by Ritchie Everett | Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

Other music by ⁠@JoeEPmusic

I tried not to think about him.

After that unexpected moment on the very first night, I woke up to my first full day in Poland—completely unprepared. Missing clothing, colder weather than I expected, and a time difference I could feel in every step.

As our team struggled to choreograph our dance, I found myself distracted. But a walk through town and a meaningful encounter with a group of Polish children reminded me why I came.

This trip had a purpose.
And it had nothing to do with the Polish man who kept showing up beside me… catching my eye.

That night, during the ministry program, I watched as a large group of Polish soldiers boldly proclaimed their faith. It was powerful—grounding me again in what mattered.

But later that night, our paths crossed again.

We talked. He shared stories about his life and his country.

And as I tried to fall asleep, I realized something I wasn’t ready to admit…

I wanted to know more.

And that was the beginning of something I wasn’t sure I wanted.

See pictures and videos related to this episode ⁠here⁠.

Please subscribe to this podcast on ⁠Spotify⁠

Music:

Where to Next by Ritchie Everett | Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

Other music by ⁠@JoeEPmusic

I wasn’t looking for romance.

The summer after graduating from college, I met dancers from a Ukrainian ballet company and formed unexpected friendships that awakened a deep desire in me to go to Eastern Europe.

Just one week after receiving a prophecy—that before the end of the year I would travel overseas and meet my husband—an opportunity appeared.

I was invited to join an arts outreach team traveling across the sea.

Five months later, I was on that plane… stepping into a journey that would change my life forever.

But on the very first night of the tour, one unexpected moment—a simple brush of a hand—got my attention.

And I couldn’t ignore it.

I had no idea what that moment would lead to the very next day.

See pictures and videos related to this episode here.

Please subscribe to this podcast on Spotify

Music:

Where to Next by Ritchie Everett | Courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

Other music by @JoeEPmusic