First Published February 14, 2008
Linda Little Strickland made a suggestion a few weeks ago…and I passed the idea along to you via e-mail…that it would be fun to have some LOVE STORIES featured on the blog for Valentine’s Day. Something along the lines of “How I Met My Spouse”. I was excited that I received several beautiful stories via e-mail, and they are posted below. Then I scoured the blog for any hints of love stories, although we'll have to use our imaginations to flesh those out. If I used yours, feel free to add the romantic details yourself through a comment or e-mail.
So these first tidbits from other posts and bios will serve as the appetizers for the longer full meal deals that follow. I’m still waiting for Linda to send HER story, and there’s plenty of room here for YOURS as well. You can add it as a comment below, or send it to me by e-mail and I’ll add it to this post. Pictures are always a welcome addition to any post – you can send those to me by e-mail too.
Double click on any photo to enlarge.
Nancy Sisson Pasket: George and I had our first date at Bill Mraz Ballroon in Houston. A great dancer will always get the girl. We live on several hundred acres in New Waverly, TX., the old family place. Country living is great, lots of space and nice clean air. Bonnie McCool Gervais: My husband found me in the Baylor College of Medicine cafeteria. After seeing me with some friends, he went immediately back to his Admin. Ass't. and told her he had found the person he wanted to marry. Of course, the problem was: he didn't know my name or if I was married or if I was dating someone. He described me to her and lucky for me she knew who I was. Our first date was to the Alley Theater, I think he was trying to impress me because we haven't been back since. We dated for six years off and on and then for one year steadily. We were married on January 18, 2003 in Breckenridge, CO. Cliff's son, Judson, lives in New York City and is single. My daughter, Lisa Faith and her husband Corby live two blocks from us. I have retired from Baylor after 29 years and we have a 5 month old granddaughter, Faith McCool Leaschber. We also have a home in Breckenridge, so we'll all be spending more time up there. Life is wonderful!
Charles Crider: In 1964, a co-worker arranged a “blind date” with Dolly and the rest is history. We were married on her birthday in 1965. We are both retired now and staying busy and having fun.
Billy Carter …as the apartment rental fees went through the roof in the early 70’s I bought a “Town House” in northwest Houston. I drove Corvettes to all of the popular bars, living the singles life. I met my wife, Barbara, at a neighbor’s birthday party. We were married in April. 1992. Amanda arrived in June, 1993. Yes, even old people have sex.
Donna Sanford Phillips: I am married (27 years) to Gerald who has been in the ministry for 49 of his 66 years. He is pastoring a mission church in Tomball.
Brenda Joyce Collins Burnett: I came back to Houston just to be married - my family had known his family. We were married for 40 yrs. He died of cancer about 8 yrs ago.
Franklin Heide: Lives in Wilmington, DE; moved there with DuPont in 1969 & stayed; married a girl from S. Jersey (just across the Delaware River from Wilmington).
Billie Jean Trombatore Young: I married the wild hoodlum (according to Daddy) across the street, Lanny Young. Being the only daughter of a very strict Italian father, you can just imagine. It was 10 years before they even tolerated each other.
Darryl Roberts: I still play my saxophone in a church orchestra. In fact I am in charge of the orchestra. I am married to a lovely lady, named Sandy, who has a pretty voice and we often sing duets.
Joseph (Jody) Yeo: I am married to a wonderful lady named Anita (Cricket). We still live in Houston where we are both very active in church, working with children and youth. I am still a deacon after about 40 years. We are both in excellent health and enjoy being grandparents. We give God the praise for all His many blessings.
Grace Moore Ferguson - I married our classmate Harvey Ferguson. Both of us are retired now. We recently celebrated our 40th anniversary.
Larry Smith - Charleen and I have been retired for two years, and are living on 13 acres up in the woods near Plantersville (Ren Fest).
Liz Russ Huggins - I worked for Humble/Exxon until Keith Huggins (Milby Class of '59) and I married in 1963… Keith died in 1999.
Mike Roberts: I am now married to my 2nd wife. We have been married for 37 yrs. She lived on Easton.
Jon Dansby: The first week of August, my wife of 11 years, Sharon, my 7 year-old son, Shakespeare (mom's choice of names), and I made a whirlwind 2-day trip to Garner State Park and environs. I have to tell you guys the Frio River was beautiful, better than I remember it when my family camped there in the early 1950s. Shake and I spent the day in the Frio water while Sharon watched from the bank. I think Shake will be a third-generation river rat.
Charles Simmons: During my stint in the Navy, I married a beautiful Houston girl, Hilda Hogue. (There must have been something in the Pizza at Valian's. I proposed to Hilda after a date at Valians and she said "YES." What wonderful memories.) A few years after we were married and while living in Houston, Braniff Airways called and wanted me to fly for them. We packed up our belongings and moved to Arlington, TX. Been here ever since. …retirement…One thing I haven’t had enough of is Hilda. We’ve been together 39 years and loved every minute of it. We never had children but nieces and nephews supply that void….A cup of coffee with my wife by my side and looking out on our patio works just fine for now!
Glen Langston: I am a retired United Methodist minister currently serving as senior consultant with Four Seasons Ministry, a private organization equipping church leaders for more effective ministry through workshops, retreats, consultation, and coaching. I am married to Tara deButts. She is a mental health and substance abuse counselor in private practice in Harrisonburg, VA. Currently Tara and I live on a small farm in Mount Solon, VA in the Shenandoah Valley. We love to travel and Tara is a big animal rights activist so we went to Tanzania and Kenya in 2004 for two weeks of photography safaris. Next year we are heading for Johannesburg, South Africa to volunteer at a Tiger Refuge for two weeks.
Laura Striegler Wilson: was just talking to my husband, Loyd, the other day about the long walks I took from Milby home to Meadowbrook… I walked until my Senior year, when in a fit of temper, after having yet another round of hard to start episodes, Loyd backed his Baby Blue 50 Model Ford into my driveway and said (with some expletives), you can have it. Pat Roberson and I rode to school every day in it from that point on, and it never gave me the problems it had given him. (Consequently, every car since obviously belongs to me since most were traded in on newer models thereafter.)
Laura McNeil Burns: I got a temporary gig filling in for the managing editor of the Round Rock Leader, a semi-weekly newspaper in a town north of Austin. The managing editor, John Koloen, returned from his two week vacation in Wisconsin, but I stayed there several more weeks, filling in for a reporter who was having major surgery. He claims I caught his eye from the beginning. I cannot say the same, as I had permanent employment on my mind then more than romance, but it didn't take long for me to be attracted. So not getting a permanent job at the Round Rock Leader was a blessing in disguise, as he would never have asked out someone he supervised. Finally I got a real job, as copy editor on the Midland Reporter-Telegram. I moved out to Midland, but only stayed there six months. John missed me too much, and vice versa. So I came back to Austin and we moved in together. (Laura submitted this rather unusual shot of John and herself on 06/20/08.)
Jo Ann Peters Green: I was only l2 years old when I met Martin. I was dating a boy named Mickey Newbury who became a very famous song writer. He went to school with Martin at Sam Houston. One of their mutual friends, Jerry Crawford, took a video of Sandy Payne and me coming out of Deady. Jerry showed the video to Martin and some of his friends. Martin called to see if I wanted to go to MYF at the Methodist Church. I immediately called my cousin Bill Shaw, who went to school with Martin, and he gave me a glowing report. We went on a blind date and then dated off and on for the next 7 years. We got married 3 weeks after my l9th birthday.
The first time he came to our house, my parents both told me that they thought he would be my future husband. I laughed, but he was so good looking and nice. He also had a nice, Christian family and my family was sort of screwed up at the time and I wanted some stability. Martin is the nicest, kindest person I have ever met. We have been married 46½ years and he has yet to say a negative thing about anybody. Of course, we have some arguments from time to time, but he usually just says" you're right dear "and that ends it.
John Echoff: You asked for it! I left the Sheriff's Dept and went to another agency during Sheriff Jack Heard's last term; I simply could not stand working for him any longer. After Sheriff Klevenhagen was elected I opted to return to the sheriff's department. As was custom, all personnel were required to work their probationary period (at least 6 mos) in the jail. I was working night shift (is there any other?) on the clinic/medical floor, when a cute young lady (Linn) came into the control center and began a conversation. We visited numerous times over the next few months. Then I did not see her for a couple of months.
I rode my new motorcycle to the Academy for annual firearms qualification and who do I see on the front steps of the Academy but her! She commented about my new bike, and I asked her if she wanted to take it for a spin (I already knew she could ride). She practically yanked it out of my hands and sped away, and I mean SPED away! A short time later she returned grinning from ear to ear, and proclaimed she had to have one. She went to the same dealer and got an identical bike on a Friday, and on Monday she was in my Basic Police Motorcycle Class. She was the first female motor officer in the Metro area for quite awhile and the first female certified police motorcycle instructor in South Texas. The other female instructors were in Dallas and Ft. Worth.
It's really had not to fall in love with someone who loves the same things as you, and is always there for you regardless. However, it did take a while for me to propose. We met in 1985, but it took 14 years for me to make a decision to get married, never was much of one for snap decisions...Well, Once I made up my mind to propose (on bended knee, I might add), we had some planning, movin', and shaking to do! Like combining two households into one, getting moved in, etc.
We were married in Las Vegas by a Lutheran minister in a regular chapel, no Elvis stuff, the real deal. Upon returning from Vegas on a Thursday, we had to be out of our respective houses and into our new home by Friday. That was in 1999. We now live in Santa Fe with our spoiled dogs and a rotten cat. Her oldest son lives in our rent house next door; we have our granddaughter close all the time. The other kids are also nearby, and we see them quite regularly.
Linn has been trying to talk me into retirement. I agreed once to try for the end of Feb. but have now changed my mind. For almost 40yrs I have carried the badge and gun and I just cannot accept the possibility of doing "nothing", so I'll hang in there for awhile longer. She will be able for retirement in 2 more years, so maybe I'll wait till then. The Department has never had husband and wife retire at the same time - maybe we'll be the first!
Gladys Marie Payne Bohac: This is the story of me and my sweetheart. Bo and I met through a mutual friend who kept asking me to meet this guy and I said I was not interested. I was going through a really bad divorce at the time and it was just about final. So meeting another man was the farthest thing from my mind.
(Photo Caption: While we were dating, we went to the first music and light festival in Houston with my sister and her husband. Had a wonderful time.)
After a while she invited me to go to a Polish dance with a group of singles at the Bill Miraz Dance Hall . . I decided to go, since I loved to dance and there was going to be a group of us. We were all supposed to meet at my friend’s home for a glass of wine before we left. Well no one showed up but Bo and me. I thought, “oh my, this is not what I expected at all.” I made up my mind instantly that Bo was the type man that I could only be interested in as a friend. We left for the dance and when we got there, we were thrown together as a couple. But as it turned out, I had a great time – he was a wonderful dancer and he was a lot of fun to be with.
Bo was quite a gentlemen; he even took time to dance with others who didn’t have a date. Really thoughtful. During the evening the group started talking about their next adventure: a camping trip to Brazos Bend Park. My friend said, "Gladys why don't you go too". I told her I did not have any camping stuff. Bo immediately said he had everything I needed for camping. You see he had been involved with the Scouts for many years, as a leader and with his son who was an Eagle Scout. I started trying to get out of this by saying that Saturday is the only time I have to get ready for the next week since I worked. Bo said, “come down after you get through with the things you have to and have dinner with us.” Then he said, "all you need is your clothes and pillow because I have everything else.”
When we got back to my friend’s house that night, she invited us up for coffee. It was quite late and I needed to go home and get ready for the next day, but I said okay just for one cup. When I got ready to leave, Bo said "I will walk you down to your car". We talked for a while and then he gave me his card and asked me to give him a call sometime. Well, being the old fashion girl that I was and still am, “I said you can call me.” I turned to leave and Bo leaned in and gave me a kiss. WOW, what a kiss!
The next couple of weeks he called me everyday, several times a day and would say to the receptionist, “may I talk to the most beautiful lady there.” This really embarrassed me since I barely knew him. He told my friend how much he liked me and wanted to get to know me better. I kept telling my friend, Bo is not my type, that I just wanted to be his friend.
Well, the camping trip came around, and I went Saturday afternoon around 4:00 p.m. My friend said he had gone up to the gate several times to see if I had arrived. When I got there, Bo had prepared a fantastic dinner by the fire. He grilled steaks, baked potatoes on the fire, made a beautiful salad with all the trimmings, and even made a fantastic cobbler in his Dutch oven over the fire. He had chilled wine for us with glasses, no plastic. I was really impressed. I told my friend before I went down there that I was going to have to tell Bo that I really was not interested in being a couple or even dating. Soooooooooo after dinner we went for a walk and I was ready to tell him how I felt about him. But every time I tried to tell him, he would stop me and give me a kiss. Obviously, this was tearing down that wall I had built around me.
His birthday was just around the corner and he asked me to go to dinner and dancing for his birthday. I told him, “Great, we can invite our friend and her date.” Bo said "no, I was thinking just about you and me". I thought, “Oh my, now what am I going to do?” But I went with him and from then on, we were a couple.
Then in January, I had to have emergency surgery and you wouldn’t believe what good care Bo took of me. My sister and friend were saying that when I came home from the hospital that I could come to either one of their homes. But Bo informed them that he had arranged to take vacation and that he was going to take care of me at my apartment; and that’s exactly what he did. He’s proven many times over, in our life together, what a great caregiver he is. (Photo Caption: In front of our home in Saudi.)
When Valentine's Day came around he asked if I thought I was up to eating Mexican food (my favorite) and afterwards go dancing. I told him I thought I was, so that is what we did.
And the rest is history. We celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary this past December. Bo is very protective of me and loves me so much and shows his love for me in so many ways everyday. He spoils me constantly, always doing things for me, running errands, helping me with the housekeeping and shopping. He's a great host and helps me in any way I ask when entertaining. Whatever I want, within reason, is mine. He watches over my health and supports me in every endeavor. We have had so many good times and have wonderful memories from everything we have done since we first met. He is truly my sweetheart and the best friend a girl could have. He is so caring and loving towards me and goes out of his way to make my life wonderful. 
(Photo Caption: A romantic carriage ride on one of our trips - this in Eastern Europe.)
N Ray Prichard: This is how I proposed to my wife after one date and we were married 87 days from the day we met… In August 1972 I was Marketing Director for National Car Rental’s International Division, living in Minneapolis. I left on August 14 for three weeks around the country business trip calling on tour wholesalers who specialized in foreign travel package tours. I had been on the road nine days and was at Miami International Airport on Tuesday August 22 to catch an early evening flight to Atlanta. While waiting in line for the Eastern Airlines ticket counter, about 2 hours before my flight I noticed a pretty girl in the next line. However, by the time I got to buy my ticket she had disappeared.
Like a true romantic, I decided to look for her in that huge airport, which I was very familiar with, having lived in Ft Lauderdale and Miami in 1967. Anyway, I couldn’t find her so I sat down in that vast lobby to read my book. About 45 minutes before my flight was scheduled to leave, I started walking down the concourse, towards my gate. Who do I see a few steps ahead of me but that girl. I moved up, walked by her side and started talking, introducing myself. It turns out we were on the same plane to Atlanta. She was a Spanish teacher and was returning from Cozumel on her way home to Baltimore, via Miami and Atlanta.
When we checked in for our flight, I asked if she would mind if we sat together for the flight. She said OK. We talked all the way to Atlanta, our flight arriving about 9:00 PM. I offered to walk her to her next flight, and help carry her hand luggage. She was catching a Delta Airlines flight so it was a very long walk to the other side of that airport. I helped her check in for her flight and offered to wait with her until they called her 10:00 PM flight.
I told her I was going to be in New York City in two days and asked if she would like to meet me in NYC to see the city. She said for me to call her in Baltimore when I got to NYC and she would let me know. I called her on that Thursday and she agreed to take an early train to NYC on Saturday morning and I would meet her at Grand Central Station. She came up early Saturday morning and we played tourists all over the city, all day. We saw the Empire State Bldg and United Nations and the Statue of Liberty. We ate hot dogs on Broadway at a push cart vendor. That night she took a train back to Baltimore.
I was in NYC for four more days, before heading home to Minneapolis, on Wednesday August 30. I left there two days later to work at a week-long convention in Las Vegas. I got back into my office on Monday, September 11, and on my desk was a letter from Patricia, telling me how she enjoyed our day’s outing in NYC. She taught Spanish in the Baltimore ISD, lived at home with her widowed mother and was going to graduate school at Johns Hopkins University. Since Baltimore is an hour later than Minneapolis, when I got off at 5:00 PM, it was 6:00 PM there. National Car Rental had a nationwide system of long distance land lines. I could call her toll-free from my office and we would talk for a couple of hours every night.
After a month of long distance romance, I flew out to Baltimore in early October and proposed to her. We had only had the one day in NYC but we had melded our souls for over a month, in long distance calls. She accepted my proposal and we were married on November 17. She dropped out of graduate school to plan our wedding, with her mother’s help. She had lived in the same house in Baltimore for her entire life and was 24 years old. I was 30. My bride took a leap of faith and left home, hearth and her mother to be with me in cold and wintry Minneapolis.
We have been happily married for 35 years last November. She told me after we were married that when she got home to Baltimore, late that night of August 22, she told her mother that she had met a man at the airport in Miami and she thought was going to marry him. I could not have found a more perfect match for a wife if I had known her for many years. God brought us together and we told each other before the altar of her hometown church, “Until death do us part”. We have kept our vows to each other before God for over 35 years. I am truly blessed and very grateful to God for her. That’s my story and I am sticking to it. N. Ray
Karla Lofgren Davis: I have included bits and pieces of our love story throughout the blog, but I’ll pull it all together here. I first encountered Ed Davis at Baylor during my senior year in high school. I was visiting Randy at Baylor in the fall, considering if I would go to school there the next year. They served the meal family style in his dorm, with the guy at the head of the table asking the blessing. Ed was that guy that night and they said, “Rabbi, will you ask the blessing”. Ed complied. Later I fussed at Randy for teasing that poor Jewish boy in a mostly Baptist school. Randy explained that Ed was actually Methodist, that Rabbi was just his nickname, and that I was much too sensitive about such things!
Ed and I met for the second time at his Dad’s boatyard on the Kemah Strip during the summer of 1960. Randy was home from Baylor for the weekend. Our family ate at the Clear Creek Inn that Sunday and Randy wanted us to meet one of his buddies from the dorm. The Davis Boatyard was just across from the Clear Creek Inn, and the family lived in an apartment above the business. I remember being astounded that his family had 45 cats (ostensibly the requisite mouse control in a boatyard, but these were named pets!). Ed was very tan, and I thought he was VERY handsome.
That summer (between my graduation and attending Baylor) Randy and some Baylor friends were at our house, making their evening plans. Ed and another “out of towner” did not have dates, so Randy said his sister and a friend were available (the friend was Kay Knobloch, who was also enrolled to attend Baylor for the fall semester). They had both met me and I guess they thought the other girl might be a better prospect, so they flipped a coin to see who got the new girl. Ed lost and got me. We went to Valian’s for pizza and I must admit that holding Ed’s hand, sitting in the back seat of the other guy’s car, gave me quite a thrill. We agreed it might be fun to get together at Baylor when school started in the fall.
I am not sure the order of events as our friendship grew during the fall. I do remember the following:
•When Ed picked me up for our first date I expected him to be driving his beautiful baby blue ’59 Ford Convertible, but found he had just traded it in for a maroon Pontiac Tempest. (It was beautiful, too!)
•Ed was my tutor in Trigonometry. I surely needed the help, and he was soooooo smart!!!
•I was the Chapel Checker for Ed’s section and he would meet me at the bottom of the stairs and then walk me to class.
•Ed worked in the library and when we visited there the librarian had to keep shushing us – too much exuberance!!!
•We played games a lot – mostly Scrabble – and had an ongoing game set up in his car, playing a few rounds between classes every day.
As our friendship blossomed into romance, I realized that besides curling my toes when he kissed me, Ed was a wonderful companion. He wrote beautiful love poems to me and 
we were engaged in the spring of my freshman year. Thirteen months later, a week after Ed’s graduation, we were married at Park Place Baptist Church. This June we will celebrate 46 years of marital bliss. The Methodist Rabbi (turned Baptist along the way) is a wonderful husband and friend, an incredible father and grandfather.
Charlotte Vann Casselberry: I know there are many mysteries in life… mysteries that God alone hold the answers to. Answers to questions about life. And death. Why do the good die young? Why does a musician lose his hearing or an artist her sight? Why does a brilliant mind become trapped by disease? I, too have many questions about my life and my love. I often lie in the dark, wondering why my sweet Bob was taken from us. He was so full of life and so good. He was so in love with the Lord. He was so in love with me.
Bob was not very large in stature, but his presence filled the room. We met in a Single Adult Bible Study class; and we fell into immediate “Like”. The beginning of our courtship was all that it should be. I had been single for a long time and thought that I would never remarry. I had never met a man that I felt could love me and my children unconditionally. But I was in for a wonderful surprise when God brought Bob into my life.
We had been dating for about three months when he asked me to “be his girl.” It was time to see where the relationship would take us. We both knew that this was not a casual friendship. The next evening, we went to his daughter’s football game (she played in the band.) Just before half-time he went to get us a coke. When he returned, he sat down and said, “I’m having a heart attack.” I laughed and said, “yeah, right.” But he was serious and he explained that it was not an uncommon experience. It scared the bejabbers out of me and I was getting my things to leave, but he said, “no, Kim is getting ready to go out on the field. If she doesn’t see us, she will think something is wrong.”
So I squirmed all through half-time and nearly pushed him down the stairs afterwards. We quickly drove to the hospital for what turned out to be a very long night. Bob had indeed suffered a very bad heart attack and was admitted for observation and more tests. On the way home, I kept asking God why he brought someone like Bob into my life and now I was threatened with losing him. As it turned out, Bob was given 2 weeks to go home and get his affairs in order. He was to have a second quadruple by-pass and his odds were very poor. Obviously our relationship came to a screeching halt. His concerns were his children and making preparations for them.
Most of Single Adults were at the hospital the day of his surgery. We were determined to cover him and the doctors in prayer. Unfortunately, things did not go well, and Bob had a very long recovery period, often coming very close to death. It was a horrible time for me, going to bed at night and waking up not knowing whether he was alive or not. But finally almost 4 months after his surgery, he went home.
And gradually, our courtship got underway again. That summer, we took a group of senior adults tubing on the Guadalupe. It was so much fun, watching some of those little old ladies in their rolled up jeans and sun bonnets floating down the river, with not a hair out of place. Bob and others were quite daring and it was a time of renewal for Bob. I think he finally believed that he was really going to get well. (Photo Caption: Like Raggedy Ann and Andy - made for each other.)
The following week, Bob had an appointment with his doctor for his annual check up and he asked him what he thought about his getting married. The doctor asked if it was “that little gal that was always at the hospital bugging the nurses.” Then he congratulated him and said that the only problem he saw was a bad sunburn. That evening, we went to dinner, and Bob’s proposal was: “So, you wanna get married, or what?”
We decided on a date one month later and included all of our friends in the preparations. It was announced on Sunday and everyone was as excited as we were. We had had so much fun tubing on the river that we decided to honeymoon in New Braunsfel. So after a weekend in Houston, we packed up everything for a week of fun on the river. We packed everything but the kitchen sink, and when we arrived and unpacked the car, I started laughing and he wanted to know what was so funny. I told him that we forgot something. He said he didn’t see how that was possible, but I asked him to look around and he still didn’t get it. Then I told him that we left our clothes at home…….
And so was the beginning of a marriage packed with laughter and love and the unexpected. God in His goodness gave me the Fairy Tale. Bob was my Prince Charming, my best friend, the love of my life. We had almost 10 years before he went home to the Lord, and those 10 years were enough for a lifetime.
I would hate for the reader of this story to say “how sad”, when it was all joy. I would rather have had those 10 years with him, than to have missed out on every good thing that came from having him in my life. I don’t regret one moment of the pain. I have such incredible memories of a courageous man, a life well lived, a man who loved his family and his God, who invested his life in others. Like the ending of Titanic, I picture him waiting for me at the top of the stairs with that incredible smile.
(Photo Caption: Happy memories celebrating our children.)
Click here to return to Charlotte's biography page.
Posted by:Herbert Johns | May 09, 2008 at 05:24 PM Well, I had one this year on Feb. 12th, but on this Monday 5/5/08 I was told it wasn't actually. It was beautiful but over.
Posted by:Karla Lofgren Davis | May 10, 2008 at 07:33 AM I am so sorry to hear that, Herbert. I hope it is true in this case..."better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all!" You are a dear for allowing yourself to be vulnerable like this...
Posted by:Larry Smith | May 13, 2008 at 05:56 PM It was Summer I believe, 1962. Ray Prichard and I went to a party, and some time during the evening, we switched dates. Some of the particulars escape me, but I started dating Rita Beeler. Later that summer, Ray, Larry Bailey, and I were planning a beach outing at Surfside. Ray didn't have anyone to take at that time, so I asked Rita if she could get a blind date for Ray. Well, Ray and I met the girls at Rita's house to get acquainted one evening, and we planned the beach trip for the next weekend.
Ray drove the six of us to the beach in his pickup, the "Blue Goose". We had a nice day, and sat around the fire in the evening making out. When it was time to go home, the Blue Goose wouldn't start. So, somehow Larry Bailey managed to call his dad to come get us, and we were sitting out the storm in the pickup. When Mr. Bailey arrived, it was a mad scramble in the rain from the Blue Goose to his car. Larry Bailey and his date, Ray, and Rita ended up in the back seat, and Ray's date and I found ourselves in the front seat. No one wanted to get back out in the rain, so we headed back to Houston. Charleen and I talked all the way back, and by the time we arrived, Ray and I had switched dates again. We dated the rest of the summer, and when I had to go back to school, Charleen wanted to exchange class rings and "go steady". But I said I thought we should hold off a while.
What a stupid idiot!! As soon as I got settled in a dorm, I sent her an A&M pin. Now I didn't realize it at the time, but being "pinned" was considered a bigger commitment than exchanging high school rings. Sneaky aren't they?
We were married March 25, 1964 and again April 24, 1964. But that's another story. We renewed our marriage vows for our 40th anniversary in 2004 at the little Methodist church in Stoneham where we live.
Posted by:Herbert Johns | June 12, 2008 at 12:15 AM A dear to allow myself to be vulnerable like this -- the word stupid comes to mind, BUT it isn't the first time and won't be the last I am sure because I will keep putting myself out there. I have been alone too long. It almost feels comfortable --that is bad.
Posted by:Karla Lofgren Davis | June 12, 2008 at 07:33 AM We missed you in Kenney - it really was fun, and I know you would have added your own special touch. Did you see the Kenney Photo Album (top of right sidebar)? Say, that Thursday night live band at The Kenney Store sounds like something you would REALLY enjoy! Might break a few more ribs, etc. MIGHT find a new gal!
All I can say is...some lucky girl just doesn't know what she is missing out on!!! Karla
Posted by Linda Strickland | June 12, 2008 at 12:56 PM Karla, You are so right about Herbert. In high school I use to run my fingers through his wavey curley hair and he was always a fun person to be with, still remember that mischievous smile of his and at the last reunion I saw it again!
Sounds like you all had a good time at Kenney. Places like that are just a peaceful place to remember in the minds of many people. Sounds like many of our herd have moved to the open spaces. Envy you guys of the view of night time stars, I take my ten minute trip to Tybee Island and view the stars over the Atlantic Ocean where the sound of the water hitting the beach is so peaceful to me. Linda
Posted by:Karla Lofgren Davis | June 12, 2008 I love to do track-backs on searches (from the blog management site) to see what leads "outsiders" to our blog. In this case I was led along the way as I was track-backing to a wonderful photo album of sights around your area. What a gorgeous place you live!!! Maybe we can all meet up for lunch in your neck of the woods sometime!
Here's an interesting piece of related news, Linda. A while back someone evidently did an internet search for "Wilmington Island, Savannah Georgia" which eventually led them to the Milby 1960 blog and your bio, as you state in the opening that is where you live. Karla
Posted by:Linda Strickland | June 12, 2008 at 09:20 PM Karla, would be great to visit with you all. Across the Wilmington River is Savannah, beautiful city, many tourists. River Street has the shops that people love to visit. Paula Deen's Lady and Sons restaurant or Mrs Wilks Boarding House would be a nice place to eat. People fall in love with this city and move here from all parts of the world. I first visited the city when my son Keith was training at the Federal School of Training in Brundwick, Ga.and daughter Kristan was working at one of the local TV stations in Savannah. Savannah is not only beautiful but rich in history. The book/movie "Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil" along with " Forrest Gump" put Savannah on the map. Johnnie Depp is to get married on the beach at Tybee this weekend so the rumor goes. The author of "Jingle Bells" wrote it here in Savannah. Home of the founder of the Girl Scouts is toured daily. The oldest Mason building in the US is located here onBull Street
Posted by:Mike Roberts | June 12, 2008 at 10:10 PM Whoa Linda, I am not a traveler and never have been, but there is one place my wife and I do want to visit in the next few years, other than Vegas, and that being Graceland. Once there, it would not be a big jump to see this area you described so vibrantly, Savanah. Such a wonderful dialogue you possess would make a homeless person think he has found a home at last! I can picture every street in my minds eye. Great duplication ! ! Do you paint pictures ? ?
Posted by:Linda Strickland | June 13, 2008 at 05:28 PM Mike, I haven't made it to the art class yet! Retirement has me cleaning the garage,closets, placing telephone numbers in a book instead of sticky notes etc. My son-in-law is a neat freak everything in closet color coordinated hangers. I decided to do it, went to Walmart and filled my basket with different color hangers, at the check out line the man behind me said , "lady you must have a lot of clothes". I find every two months I have to get back in order. I have been dragging today.
At 3am my husband woke me up and wanted to know where I had put that stack of old hand fans, "The electricity went off at 12midnight and I am burning up". Well, at that time of morning I woke up like a light bulb out of a dead sleep. He went back to bed after awhile, I went and got me a fan out of the stack, turned on the faucet to hot used instant coffee and got my first cup of Joe. Stayed up til daylight. Darkness everywhere, combed the cat, drove the truck around the island.... no lights, police out in force. We drove over to Savannah to Larry's for breakfast , the poor waitress and staff looked wildeyed as the place was packed with island people, we got out in an hour and half. Lights on at 2pm. The evening story... " More than 11,000 customers were without power on Tybee, Wilmington and Whiremarch Islands. Officals say it appears woodpeckers caused damage to the pole located on Highway 80 near the intersection, stress on lines caused the pole to fall.......NEVER HEARD OF ANYTHING LIKE IT IN MY LIFE! jUST PROVES GOT TO WATCH THOSE WOODPECKERS. Made me realize we need to get back to our grandparents roots. Linda
Posted by:Mike Roberts | June 13, 2008 at 11:35 PM Boy howdy ! ! Those woodpeckers made for a " Hot Time in the Old Town Last Night " and brought the whole community together at their favorite " STOMP ". Sounds like a " HOOT " to me. You tell a story with such enthusiasm ! !
Posted by:Linda Strickland | June 14, 2008 at 05:47 AM
Didn't win at Bingo did get a good night sleep. "Lights out in Georgia" did make me think how soft we Americans have become. Linda Ahhh, the age of technology has spoiled us but unlike those we bring up behind us we have had some wonderful memories and experiences that when revisited help us to understand why our parents toiled to make our lives easier than theirs.
Posted by:Mike Roberts | June 14, 2008 at 06:37 PM I feel for the poor little lady, a victim of the technological age. We have come to be accustom to the easy life and effortless tools that simply spoil us with their capabilities. Click the switch and the electric screw driver does all the twisting, we take for granted the wrenching we have done in the past to tighten or loosen that last screw in our project. When the battery wanes and the technology ends we are thrown back to the days at which time men were men and screwdrivers were screwdrivers.
Posted by:Linda Strickland | June 14, 2008 at 07:47 AM