My father-in-law may have prevented my kidnapping

My husband and I were dating at the time. I had been going to the gym for a couple of weeks with my husband/boyfriend. I was doing pre op to get my heart healthy... I had been working out every morning. The gym I went to was about 2k from my home. It was a small gym that was only open for a year or so. <br>Now, I didn't think I was anything special, but my father in law was a... well you know. Even though I wasn't married to my husband at the time, my father in law considered me family and loved me equally. He took this as a threat against his family. <br>He went to the gym when I was done and watched me walk home. He watched and took down the tag numbers. A black van with tinted windows and no tag was parked at the corner of the gym. Every morning for a week, the van arrived at around 4:30am and parked on the corner. My father in law watched me walk by the corner where the van was, and a man in the van started to get out as I walked by. He would stop when he saw my father in law watching from across the street. The man would get back in the van and sit back down. Now, I didn't know any of this at the time, until the man in the van was arrested. <br>After a week of this, the man in the van called the police and told them that someone was stalking me and they had to protect me. The police went to the address listed on the van's license and arrested the man. He had about 10 chains, zip ties, a rope, a gag, and drugs in the van. <br><br>Now, Im no fool. I walk every morning. I know better than to walk alone at night. I've had my fair share of shit from men that think they deserve me. I've been called a lot of horrible things and have been accused of leading them on. Some have gone as far as sending me messages on social media. <br>I always tell those that will listen, carry something with you. Learn to protect yourself and learn your surroundings. I had a walking stick and pepper spray with me. I also knew the police were always in the area. <br><br>If you ever see someone walking alone, please don't think they are stupid. I always wondered why my father in law was sitting outside my home while I got ready to go. I thought he was just making sure I was ok. I didn't realize that he saw me as a threat. Even though I was prepared, I was very blind. I didn't realize that there was someone out to get me. <br><br>Now, this wasn't at night. This was at 5am. It was still dark, but the sun was on its way. I think of this every time I walk. I always think of my father in law when I walk. I wish I could tell you more...but the man in the van is in jail. He was released. I don't know much about the man. All I know is that he was arrested. <br>I don't know if he knows who I am, or if he knows that my father in law was the one that saved me. I don't know his backstory. I don't know how long he was doing this. All I know is that he was arrested and released. <br><br>I like to think that the man was preparing for something. I like to think that he was drunk and couldn't get out of the van. I like to think that he was going to his buddies house to play some pranks. I like to think a lot of things.