Friday, November 21, 2008

32 Blissful Years


Well, 32 years have gone by, who would have believed that going on a blind date so long ago would have given me so many memories. To remind some, and to let others know, I will summarize how ReNae and I started our lives together. On September 20, 1976 a close friend of mine lined me up with his cousin that was reluctant to go out with me, (imagine that) but with some further coaxing was convinced to give it a try. Well, we went to pick her up and she was more than I ever imagined, and a redhead too. I had only dated one other redhead in my life, and we won't go there. On our first date we went to dinner and a movie. Dinner was at the Moonraker Restuarant where I first felt this relationship was going to succeed. I could go into some of the experiences there, but I would not be celebrating any further anniversaries. We went to a movie called Duchess and the Dirtwater Fox, and during the movie, I could not help but keep looking at ReNae. I was trying to figure out why it took so long for us to get together. After the movie I took her back to her apartment, took the babysitter home and then I returned to spend some more time with my new interest. Now is where I had to turn on the charm if I was going to have any future dates. I decided to tell my whole life story that evening keeping nothing out. We (I) talked all night long and around 5:00 am when she was the most sympathetic, and tired, and just wanting this guy she just met to go home, I asked her out of blue if she believed in love at first sight? That woke her up. I really had her attention. She looked stunned and had that deer in the headlights look, and then ask me just what I meant. Well how I proceeded from here is still a blur but I ended up asking her if by chance she would consider marrying me....this really set the discussion into maybe we should not see each other for a while and discuss the possibilities at a later time, to which I somewhat agreed to. The following evening she was over explaining to her cousin why my car was parked at her apartment all night, when I phoned to see if he had heard from ReNae, and as a good friend should, told me she was there and I told him not let her leave. Knowing what I had waiting for me, made me trust I was on the right track, but didn't quite know how she would react to another story session. None the less, I arrived and when our eyes met, I was convinced my searching for a companion was over. We went for ice cream, where I whispered if she had thought of what I had said earlier, and she smiled and said she had, but felt we really should take some time to get to know each other. I asked again what about the marriage thing? Her answer to me was" I think it could work". I was on cloud 9. the following Wednesday she had a ring and we set a date of November 22. I had two girls and she had one and we eventually had two more, and as you can see our family has grown. ReNae is a great wife, companion, but most of all a great Mother, and a superb Grandmother, someone who I am extremely proud to call my wife. We have not always agreed on everything, but she has always been fair, and honest, except when she explains some of the costs of party items she orders, but then I play golf once and a while, which in her eyes must off set, and balance out somehow. I am a very lucky guy. It was a once in a lifetime find. Thanks, honey for "32" Blissful Years, Happy Anniversary!