The Story of How My Parents Met

Back in the mid 80’s, when I was only 14 1/2, I was best friends with Alisha James.  We were constantly hanging out and sleeping over at each other’s houses.  There was always pizza, scary movies and friends.  We became close friends and you couldn’t separate us if you tried.

One night, a friend named Kelly and I were having a sleepover at Alisha’s house.  We were piled up in the living room watching tv, when her dad came in to tell us goodnight.  His name is Mike.  All three of us hollered back “Goodnight dad!”  Then Kelly looked at us and said that we should really be sisters and that I already called her dad, dad and she already called my mom, mom.  It would be perfect!  We laughed and giggled as only young girls could.  But then, Alisha and I looked at each other, and we realized that this could work!  That night, unknown to our parents, a plan was born.  Little did we know at that time it was really God’s plan.  We thought the three of us came up with it!

First things first, they have to meet.  Believe it or not, even though we had been friends for a while, they’d never really met.  They had to meet then we had to find out what they thought of one another.  Next we’d pump them up with how cute the other one was.  Not really a hard thing to do since they were both really cute!

We schemed and planned every detail and it was time to implement.  So we arranged a day that I would have to go to Alisha’s house.  It just so happened it was a warm day and he would be outside mowing (I think he was shirtless!).  I even had my mom wear a pretty summer dress.  We had pumped them both up with facts and figures about the other and now they would meet!  Mom dropped me off and he went to greet her and thank her for brining me, etc.

Then all night we worked on him.  Asking him did you think she was nice, was she pretty?  Don’t you think you should ask her out?  After going home, I did the same thing to my mom.  Did you think he was nice, cute?  Would you go out with him?  Then he asked!!!!

It was love at first date!  How romantic!  It was a whirlwind romance that lasted a lifetime.  After a year they were married and I gained two sisters and they gained a sister and a brother.  It wasn’t always easy blending a family, but they did it.  We survived everything life threw at us with family and prayer.

They were always in love and you couldn’t separate them.  They loved doing everything together.  My mom repeatedly told me and everyone else how much she loved him and how much she thanked God for sending him to her and to us.  Papa always loved holding her hand doing the sweetest things for her.  They were always holding hands and stealing kisses.  We always teased them by going “Ewwww yuck!” and then laughing.  But we all were so thrilled that they loved each other so much.

Today is my parents 25th wedding anniversary.  It is the second one since my mother passed away suddenly.  It’s really a hard day for my family, myself and for Papa.  He loves her today, just as much as the day they were married.  When we were in the hospital, we were all blown away by the power of their love.  We always felt it and saw it, but God made it shine so bright.  All everyone kept saying and especially Papa, was that it was a love made in heaven and could never be broken, not even by death.  That is how Jesus loves us.

I know that my mom is waiting for him lovingly and she is celebrating their anniversary, just as he is here as best as he can.  Their love will last forever and it will never be broken.