Nine years ago, I met a woman who would forever change my life.
Today, as we celebrate our 9th wedding anniversary, I find myself reflecting on everything we’ve experienced together. Looking back, I honestly don’t know where the years have gone. We’ve lived more life together than many people do in a lifetime.
When Teri Dykstra Fernandez came into my life, she wasn’t a biker. She didn’t know anything about motorcycle clubs, long-distance touring, or the lifestyle that had been a part of my life for decades. She simply loved me enough to climb on the back of my motorcycle and trust me wherever the road would lead.
That trust has never wavered.
Through the Good Times and the Hard Times
Marriage isn’t measured by the easy days.
It’s measured by the days when life punches you in the face.
Teri has stood beside me through some of the happiest moments of my life and some of the most difficult.
She was there when I lost my mother, helping me through one of the hardest chapters I’ve ever experienced. She has stood beside me through the pressures of running a law practice, the long nights, the victories, the disappointments, and every challenge that comes with helping injured people rebuild their lives.
She has been there through thick and thin.
Not because she had to.
Because that’s who she is.
Thousands of Miles Together
If you’ve followed the Biker Law Blog, you know motorcycles have been a huge part of my life for decades.
Over the years, Teri has ridden thousands upon thousands of miles on the back of my motorcycles.
We’ve crossed deserts.
We’ve climbed mountain passes.
We’ve chased sunsets.
We’ve ridden through rainstorms, scorching heat, and freezing mornings.
We’ve made memories in places most people only read about.
Some of my favorite memories aren’t destinations at all—they’re simply looking in the mirror and seeing her behind me, enjoying the ride.
There is something special about sharing the open road with the person you love.
Her Introduction to the Motorcycle Club World
There is one memory that still makes me laugh.
The first time I brought Teri into the 1% motorcycle club world.
We were riding to a club event in Las Vegas.
She had never experienced that environment before.
She had no idea what she was about to see.
As we approached the event, I could literally feel her pounding on my shoulder because she was scared.
She was nervous.
She didn’t know what to expect.
To be honest, I don’t blame her.
From the outside looking in, the motorcycle club world can seem intimidating to someone who has never experienced it.
But once she met the people I call my brothers and saw the respect, loyalty, and family that exist within that world, everything changed.
The fear disappeared.
The confidence grew.
Today, she fits in naturally.
She has earned the respect of many people who know her, and she proudly wears a property patch—something that represents commitment, trust, and belonging.
Watching that transformation has been incredible.
More Than My Wife
People often ask how we make it work.
The answer is simple.
She isn’t just my wife.
She’s my best friend.
She’s my riding partner.
She’s my biggest supporter.
She’s my sounding board when I have difficult decisions to make.
She has celebrated every success with me and picked me up when life became difficult.
She has never asked me to stop being who I am.
Instead, she chose to become part of the journey.
Looking Ahead
Nine years feels like yesterday.
Yet we’ve already created enough memories to fill several lifetimes.
I know there are thousands more miles waiting for us.
More rallies.
More road trips.
More adventures.
More sunsets viewed from the seat of a motorcycle.
More stories we’ll someday tell.
And I can’t imagine taking that journey with anyone else.
Happy Anniversary
Teri, thank you for believing in me.
Thank you for standing beside me through every challenge life has thrown our way.
Thank you for every mile you’ve ridden with me.
Thank you for embracing a world that was completely foreign to you because you loved the man who lived in it.
Most of all, thank you for being exactly who you are.
Happy 9th Anniversary.
I love you more today than the day we were married, and I look forward to every mile, every adventure, and every day we have ahead of us.
Here’s to the next chapter.
I love you.
About the Author
Norman Gregory Fernandez is a California personal injury attorney, Air Force veteran, lifelong motorcyclist, and founder of The Law Office of Norman Gregory Fernandez & Associates. For nearly 30 years, he has represented injured motorcyclists and other accident victims throughout California while remaining an active member of the riding community. Through the Biker Law Blog, he shares motorcycle safety tips, legal insights, travel stories, product reviews, and personal experiences from a lifetime spent on two wheels.
Learn More:
- Biker Law Blog Home: https://bikerlawblog.com/
- About Norman Gregory Fernandez: https://bikerlawblog.com/about/
- The Law Office of Norman Gregory Fernandez & Associates: https://thepersonalinjury.com/
