First Date

November 24, 1989---19 years ago, I had my first date with the man I now call my husband.  Wow!  19 years!!!  I was just 17 years old at the time, a Senior and he was 16, a Junior, just a month away from his birthday.  Our paths had crossed many times growing up, despite him living in several small towns while his family moved with his dad's job, but we ultimately ended up in the right place at the right time.  Since our high school was quite small, we knew who each other was, but one day, for some reason, we were waiting around for the bell to ring to go to the next class after lunch, and I decided to push on his arm as I was walking by.  Little did I know, the arm I pushed was the same arm that was injured with a fractured elbow from football!!!!  I don't really remember what he said at that time.  Maybe he let out a little gasp or yell, but I just remember apologizing profusely!!!  I felt terrible!  I don't even remember talking to him anymore over the next couple days until I saw him at a dance later that week.  You remember dances, don't you??  Not a high school dance or anything like that, but in a small town, local bands play at dance halls, VFW's, etc., and it was ALWAYS the place to go on the weekend.  Being a dancing queen, I loved it and enjoyed going with my friends.  At the dance, was where I ran into Wes again, and I believed I apologized AGAIN, and I believe he said that I could make it up to him by dancing with him.  So I did!  We danced off and on throughout the night and had a great time.  When the dance was over, his best friend, Travis walked up to me, and asked if Wes could call me sometime...he was acting bashful, I guess and I said sure!  I was really excited Thanksgiving Day when he gave me a call and asked me out the next night...

November 24, 1989.  We went on a double date with Travis and someone he was dating to the movies to see the John Travolta/Kirstie Alley film, "Look Who's Talking" and out to eat at a grill called Chelsea's.  Wes still gives me a hard time for ordering a salad, instead of a Chicken Fried Steak like I would do now.  But you know...the things you do to come across as a lady on a first date!  We hit it off and from then on spent many hours on the phone, wrote many notes to one another to pass around at school, but through all the ups and downs that come through growing relationships with young adults, we were married in 1995.  A few dates after that first one, he says he knew I was the one for him, when we were at McDonalds one Saturday for lunch and he ordered a Big Mac, nuggets & fries and I came up behind him and said "I'll have the same thing!"  And now 19 years later, we have graduated from high school, college, law school, have held grown up jobs, built a home and have 3 beautiful, wonderful children and 1 beloved Beagle!  I love that this time of year we celebrate both this special date and our wedding anniversary that is coming up in December, because it is truly a season of love & a time to remember all that we are thankful for and are blessed with.  

This weekend, after all the turkey, dressing, and pumpkin pie has been consumed, we'll be back home out shopping for our tree with the kids.  And our favorite tradition, the first night we have our tree in the house, we have a picnic by our undecorated tree and enjoy the pine smell that fills the room and watch our favorite holiday movie "It's a Wonderful Life..."  because that is just the way we feel each and every day, even with everything that life brings in between!

Happy First Date Day, Babe!  I'm so glad you didn't mind me punching you all those years ago!  I'm really looking forward to going out for dinner tonight and I promise, I won't just order a salad!

19 years later...on our way out for a business dinner in September!