It took a long, hot motorcycle ride up a mountain road to cement things for Ryan and Racquel Pleasants. After several years of dating, including long distance while Racquel finished her nursing degree, Ryan proposed beside a stream.
“From the moment we got married, he was excited to start a family,” says Racquel. “Growing up, he was often the go-to for kids in the neighborhood and helped with babysitting. He was just a natural.” He was over the moon when Ella was born, and then four years later, Oliver completed the family.
The Smart Thing to Do
He was also a natural when it came to finances. From the start, Ryan ensured they both had ample life insurance, in addition to what their work provided, saying, “It’s the smart thing to do.” That meant a combination of permanent life insurance, for its long-term protection and ability to accumulate cash value, and term life insurance, for income replacement should the worst happen.
Ryan worked as a firefighter and embodied the best of that profession. He was hardworking and loyal. He was loved by his colleagues and lauded for his integrity and attention to detail.
Unfortunately, at the age of 41, Ryan died while on duty, at the job he loved. The public mourning that unfolded in his community spoke volumes about the man he was.
And for Racquel and the kids, the careful planning with life insurance has been key. While Racquel continues to work parttime as a nurse, she feels more at ease knowing her finances are in order. The life insurance has allowed them to stay in the home they had built together and provide—now and into the future—for Ella and Oliver.
“The life insurance has been a security blanket,” says Racquel. “It has allowed me to focus on the children and be present for them, and to continue working on the life that Ryan and I both dreamt of.”
This piece has been reproduced with the permission of Life Happens, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping consumers make smart insurance decisions to safeguard their families’ financial futures. Life Happens does not endorse any insurance company, product or advisor. © Life Happens 2025. All rights reserved.