How many times have you seen the wives of famous athletes identified by their relationships with their husbands? It’s annoying, isn’t it? Well, today, I’m coming to you with an inspiring example of a woman who managed to set herself apart as an established individual: Brenda Warner.
From the Marine Corps to a bad divorce and then to marrying the famous footballer and building her own business and charitable organization, Brenda has seen it all. And today, I want to share her story with you.
Brenda Warner’s Early Life
You probably know her as NFL quarterback Kurt Warner’s spouse, but there’s more to Brenda Warner than being the wife of a football player. I’ll get to that in a second, though.
Let’s start with a quick introduction.
Born on a small farm in West Virginia in 1967, Brenda grew up with a strong sense of community. As she got older, her sense of collective responsibility grew, and she realized she wanted to help the people around her somehow.
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Apparently, Brenda believed the best way to do that was to join the United States Marine Corps. So, in 1985, she wore the uniform and started her journey in the service, not knowing that it’d change her life forever.
Brenda Warner’s Time in the Marine Corps
Not long after she started her service, Brenda fell in love with a fellow Marine, Neil. The couple felt this inexplicable attraction toward each other, so much so that they decided to get married rather quickly.
Sure, that might not seem like the wisest decision, but love can create miracles sometimes. What’s even more surprising is that the couple welcomed their first child, Zachary, quickly after they tied the knot.
So, Brenda was doing meaningful work with a loving husband and a wonderful child. Life couldn’t have gotten any better. Unfortunately, no one gets everything in life.
Leaving the Marine Corps
Four months after his birth, Neil accidentally dropped Zachary in the bathtub, causing him severe brain damage. The doctors didn’t expect him to survive the night, but he miraculously did.
Unfortunately, though, it wasn’t without consequences. Besides the brain damage, Zachary lost his eyesight, and Brenda had to leave the Marines with a hardship discharge to care for her son.
Obviously, the couple faced a difficult time in their relationship, but Brenda knew she had the strength to power through it, and they did—until Neil ruined everything.
Image source: Google
While his wife was pregnant with their second child, Jesse, Neil had an affair with another woman, ending their marriage before his daughter was born.
Caring for a disabled child while going through a divorce, you can probably tell it was one of the darkest times of Brenda’s life. Like they always say, though, it’s always darkest before the dawn, as that was right before she met the love of her life.
Brenda Warner Meeting Her Current Husband
It was the early 90s. Brenda had just finalized her divorce and was sitting at home depressed and definitely not looking for another relationship.
Her mother, being concerned for her mental well-being, advised her to try line dancing, an activity she enjoys herself. Although Brenda was reluctant to go out, she eventually decided to appease her mother and go.
And I guess Cupid was in the zone that day because who does Brenda get partnered up with that day? None other than Kurt Warner.
Image source: People
Brenda Warner Falling In Love Again
The couple swung together, finished their dancing session, and went home. They didn’t exchange numbers or plan any future dates. Why?
Well, Brenda was a single mother, caring for a disabled child, and she had just gotten into nursing school. A romantic relationship was not on her radar at that time.
Luckily, Kurt wasn’t as indifferent. In fact, he’d become infatuated with Brenda from the brief dance they shared together. So, the following night, he asked a mutual friend for her address and went straight to her home.
Yes, it was a bold move, but Brenda seemed to have admired it because she actually let him inside her apartment. That was the day she realized Kurt was worthy of her love.
You see, the moment Brenda introduced the NFL quarterback to her son, he showered him with love and affection, with no judgment. Just pure love. Talk about a green flag.
Image source: People
Getting Married
Brenda and Kurt started dating, and it wasn’t long before they realized they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together. So, in 1997, they were saying their vows at the St. John American Lutheran Church.
Fun Fact: They chose that venue because it was the same church where Brenda’s parents got married. And Zachary sang “The Keeper of the Stars” at the reception. Isn’t that sweet?
Welcoming Children
You already know that Brenda had had Zachary and Jesse by the time she married Kurt. The couple ended up welcoming five more children throughout their long marriage: Jada, Kade, Elijah, Jada Jo, and twins Sienna and Sierra.
Image source: Google
Brenda Warner’s Metal Art
You can probably tell that Brenda lived a fulfilling life. Still, though, when she turned 50, the same age her mom passed away, she wanted to do something different.
After thinking about it for a bit, she remembered that she had always loved metal art. So, she bought all the necessary tools, watched a few tutorials, and started her metal art journey.
You’re probably thinking: “That’s a nice, little hobby to have.” Well, it ended up being more than a hobby.
Apparently, after creating an Instagram account for her art, she started building a fan base, and her hobby turned into a profitable business. While most people would have used that money to treat themselves, Brenda used it in a more meaningful way.
Brenda Warner Opening Treasure House Phoenix With Kurt
Raising Zachary has given Brenda and Kurt some perspective on the struggles of disabled people. So, they decided to open Treasure House Phoenix, a community where people with disabilities can connect, share their experiences, and form meaningful bonds.
The residents of that community have the luxury of planning their day however they want. If they decide to wake up and go dancing, no one will stop them. If they want to go to a job interview and pursue a 9-5 corporate job, they’ll always have a place to come back to.
You might be wondering: “How are they funding all that?” Remember Brenda’s metal art business? That’s how.
Ultimately, it’s her sense of motherhood that prompted her to open that house, and she’s showered everyone in that community with nothing but love and kindness.
Brenda Warner Writing About Her Family
As you can tell, Brenda is a creative woman who puts her family before anything else. So, it’s no wonder she took the creative liberty to write a couple of books about her family.
The first was First Things First: The Rules of Being a Warner, which she wrote with her husband in 2009. The book covers the dynamics of their family and how they were able to build a happy household.
The second one was my favorite. One Call Away: Answering Life’s Challenges with Unshakable Faith (2011) was hauntingly heartbreaking. Brenda talked about the struggles she faced after her son’s accident: The divorce, living in poverty, and how she found the strength to get back up.
Image source: Instagram
Years after its publication, Brenda was still receiving messages from people telling her how that book changed their lives.
Wrapping Up
Even if you’re not a fan of Brenda Warner, you have to respect the bumpy journey she’s been through. Despite being dealt a bad hand, she managed to make the best of what she had.
The results? A loving husband, a happy family, and a newly found strength to help those who are struggling just like she was. It doesn’t get any more noble than this.
Featured image source: Google
