IT'S OFFICIAL!

Well.  Not in so many words.
But we both know.
We are exclusive.

I don't want to be set up with anyone else.
He doesn't either.
And he has stopped seeing the last woman
he dated before this girl!
Just for this story, the last woman will be
referred to as 'Louise.'
Because she was the last, we
'kept her around' just for fun!
But only in our imaginations.
And personal giggles.
In our years together she was
a frequent subject we made
up stories about.
I did tell you we always had fun!
Always together.  I wasn't joking!

But I was 'the one' now.
In his heart.  Always.


The day soon came, he took me to
meet his mom.
Mom Edwards is a very sweet
and dear lady.  I loved her from
the start.

I was to learn a little later
that when Odell told his mom
about me, he had said
'Mama, there have been two or
three women who may have been
'ok', but this one. . .
she took my heart.'

Are you wondering why I love this man?


Let me count the ways . . .

Never mind.
I believe I will save all that counting
for another day.

Very soon.
My heart can only take so much in a day.
(sigh)

THERE'S MORE TO THE STORY

I have left out some of the details of our story.
Therefore, I am going to back up just a little and fill in
some of the blanks.



After meeting Odell, I wasn't looking to be set up
with any other men from the dating service.
However, one day my phone rang and 'Mike'
was on the other end.
He told me there was someone else he would
like for me to meet.
I guess he wanted to be sure and fulfill my contract with the singles station and set me up with a few more men.
Get my money's worth so to speak.
(SIGH)
I hesitated, but finally agreed to meet this
mystery man.

From the moment I met him, there was no
chemistry.
No feeling at all like I had felt with Odell.
We went to a Mexican Restaurant.
A place we could chat comfortably over a casual meal.
Well, you know what?
I enjoy talking as much as anyone.
More than most.
Ok, I love to talk.
You get the point.

But, not that night.
He did all the talking.  Almost.
I think I cleared my throat a time or two.
And right off the bat...
I DID NOT fall in love with his voice.


While we were waiting on our dinner,
He turned to me and asked if I had said
I have four children?

I said I did, but before I could discuss my wonderful sons and daughters,
he commented on how nice that was and continued to tell me all about
HIS LIFE, HIS DIVORCE, etc., etc.
I nodded.
Cleared my throat.
Hmmmmm.....

As we finally headed back to my apartment,
he was telling me that he used to do some
bull riding.
Aha!  I could tell him that my brother had
done some of that, too.
That's all I got to say.
He continued...
He also reached for my hand and held
it on the way home.
I felt nothing.  No tingling.
No warm, fuzzy feeling.
This was before Odell had gone to
church with me and really, really held my hand!


We said goodnight a few minutes later.
He told me he had really enjoyed it and
would like to give me a ring if that was okay.
I told him 'okay' but did he know my size?

It took him a few seconds to get my meaning.
Hey, it was the only fun I had all evening.

The next day I had my phone number changed.
I didn't want to see him again.
But I didn't want to tell him.
Yes, I know.
It was a cowardly thing to do.
Funny how it didn't even bother me!

And even though Odell and I had only been
out one time, he was disappointed that
I had gone out with someone else.
So was I.
Throughout this 'date'  I constantly found myself
comparing this man to Odell.
These two men were as different
as night and day.


However, I didn't feel quite as badly about this date
After learning how many women Odell had been set up with by Mike.
I also learned something else quite funny
about all these other women before ME.

But that 'something' will have to wait

Until next time. .  .

REALLY GETTING TO KNOW HIM

There is so much I want to tell you about this man.
It's hard to know just where to begin and where to end.
It didn't take long to discover just how thoughtful he was.
And just how generous.
I'm going to try and make a long,
complex story,
as short as possible.

I had not used my better judgment,
and loaned a good friend my rent money.
This friend further complicated matters
by being unable to repay the loan.
Leaving my rent past due by a couple of days.

It was Sunday and I was at work.
Time to stop for a lunch break.
I felt too stressed to eat.
I thought about Odell.
Funny how he came to mind.
Now. When things looked bleak!
The urge to call him was strong.
Definitely not to ask him for a loan.
I just wanted to hear the voice
I had already fallen in love with.
I picked up the phone,
and tentatively dialed his number.
He sounded happy to hear from me.
Asked me how my day was going.
Hesitantly I related my dilemma to him.
Hoping to hear an understanding tone.
I wasn't disappointed.
He wanted to know what time I got off work,
and did I have plans for afterwards?
He also asked if I didn't mind, would I tell him
just how much money I needed?
The first question was an easy one.
I told him I would be off at 5:00 and
planned to go to church from there.
The second question wasn't as easy to
respond to.  But he sounded sincere.
So I told him how much the loan was.
 'I really didn't call to ask you for a loan.'
It felt like I could 'hear' him smiling.
'But I want to help you.  And this is not
a loan.  I don't want you to pay me back.'


Seriously?  Do nice men like this really exist?


He met me after work and followed  me to church.
I was so happy for him to go with me.
We held hands the whole service.
And my hand felt so small.
Held tightly in his really big hand.
Really tightly.  
The circulation was being cut off.
It's okay!  I will endure the pain! 
Gladly.
We enjoyed the service.
When it was over, I introduced him
to my two sons, Don and Randy, and their families.

While I very discreetly rubbed
some feeling back into my hand.

 At this point, we all decided  to go to Ci Ci's Pizza.
For food and time for Odell to get to know
my two over protective sons.
It didn't take long to see that he had won their approval!
In a few minutes, they were 'shooting the bull'
like old friends.

Later, he followed me to my apartment.
"Would you like to come in for awhile?'
Of course he would.  For awhile.
A couple of hours and a few kisses later  
We said goodnight.
But neither of us wanted to.

I knew as I watched him leaving that this was going somewhere.
And that it was good.
It was better than good!
I just felt it. . .deep down.
And I believe he felt it, too.

I would sit back.
Enjoy the ride.
See where God would lead us.
I was feeling pretty sure of one thing.
Wherever He led
It would be together. .  .

WHO SAID ZIO'S?

Was Zio's his suggestion?
Or was it mine?
I'm usually pretty good at remembering the details!
Not that it's a major deal.
Not that Metro Diner wasn't a date,
but Zio's would be even more special.
This would be the date that follows the first 'meeting'.
Where I'm supposed to remember things.
Like not sharing too much detail of my past,
and offering to pay for my meal.
Definitely offer to pay for my meal.
I learned that lesson already.
From my daughter.

It was a rainy evening when
he arrived to pick me up.
Then I saw it.

The big white truck.
I smiled at him.
Did he think I could easily
climb up into that monster?
He did.
So I did.  Not with a lot of dignity, mind you.
But, he held out his hand to assist me.
A girl could get used to this!
I'm feeling pretty impressed by this time.

Dinner was lovely!
Good food, good conversation!
A lot of laughs.

We left eventually. . .
back out into the rain!
Back up into that big truck!
Funny how it was easier this time.
It helps if you like the guy who
is boosting you up there!

I had a book I wanted to take back
to my daughter, Christy, and she was
just a mile or so down the road.
I mentioned this to him.
He was happy to oblige.
Okay.  I confess.  The book was
just an excuse.
I wanted my daughter who had
thought she knew how to 'fix me up'
to check out this man I found
all by myself!
Don't get me wrong.
I honestly appreciated
the hayrides and the coffee club.
They just didn't work out like
she had anticipated.

We slowly drove toward the turn off to her house.
We missed it.  Visibility was poor!
He drove a little ways and pulled off to turn around.
He turned around, all right!
Right up to the front door of a nice hotel.

I just couldn't pass this one up!
I turned to him and smiled.
'Really, Odell. . .this is our first date!'
He looked at me with that adorable,
cute grin.
'Yeah? My mama warned me about
women like you!'
But I'm thinking, 'Women like me?
I'm not the one who pulled up to a hotel!'
I didn't say it, though.  He was just so much fun!
We laughed together and drove back to Christy's house.
When we pulled in front of her house,
He asked if I would like for him to
take the book to the front door
so I wouldn't get wet?


Was there no end to his considerate ways?
I told him 'sure, if he wouldn't mind.'
Here we are in the pouring rain.
It's late.  No lights on inside the house.
He ran up to the door, and I saw
that it finally opened, but my view was
obstructed by the pouring rain.
When he returned to the truck a few
minutes later,
he told me all about it. He was laughing.
My daughter was ready for bed,
running around in her hubby's tee shirt.
She had looked out the peep hole and
saw this stranger standing there, dripping
all over her front porch.
 And in the distance
she had seen this ominous looking monster truck.
Apparently, she had run to her hubby. 'Don, I think 
someone is trying to rob us!'
Hubby got his shotgun.
Saw me sitting in the truck.
Don't know how with all that rain!

Poor Odell!  What a crazy way
to meet my family!
Had he known this was pretty much
the norm for us,
would he have dropped me off
and hurried back to one of the 'other women'
the dating service had originally tried to set him up with?

Naw. . .I think he was already hooked on this girl!

WHY HASN'T HE CALLED?

As I drove away from the restaurant,
after meeting Odell, I felt pretty good.
About the way it all went.
About this man who had made a definite
impression on this girl.
He had seemed to like me.
A girl can usually tell about those things.
It was Saturday, and the next week was Thanksgiving.
I wondered if he would call in the next day or two. . .
He didn't.
He didn't call after a week.
Maybe he was busy with family for the holiday.
Maybe he wasn't all that impressed with me.
I had felt sure he was, though.
Then why hadn't he called?
Almost another week went by.
I was starting to get just a bit worried.
Maybe he wasn't so interested.
Then it happened.
Rrrrring!


'Lord, please let it be him!'
I didn't even check my makeup this time.
I picked up the phone.
Hoping. . .
I heard this now familiar, wonderful voice
on the other end.
Finally! 'Thank you, Lord.'
He sounded really glad to talk to me.
He didn't say why it had taken several days to call.
And I sure wasn't going to appear insecure by asking.
I was just glad he had called.
We talked like the last time.
About everything under the sun.
He asked me to go out to dinner with him.
Could he come and pick me up?
Of course.  That would be just fine.
Our first real date would happen that weekend.

A couple of things I learned after we had been
seeing each other for awhile.

I asked him why he had taken so long to call me?
'Well, honey, I didn't want you to think I was
too anxious!'

I asked him what his thoughts were when we first met
as I preceded him to our booth.
He gets this really lovable, sort of shy, grin and says...
 'I thought. . .I wish I had
a swing like THAT in MY backyard!'


 I'm blushing just writing it. (sigh)

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Okay!  I will admit my first thoughts weren't
'Wow!  This guy must be in the movies!'
I am ashamed to say that I first thought,
'He looks old enough to be my dad.'
I realized later that this was such a self-centered
first observation of this wonderful man.
Who did I think I was?  God's gift to men?
Did I think his first impression of me was
'Wow!  She doesn't look a day over 30.'
I would learn in the next few minutes
that while I had a cushy office job,
this man worked hard outside,
exposed to all the harsh elements.
He had earned every little wrinkle!
And, I would soon find out, most
had to be just laugh lines!
We smiled at each other, and introduced ourselves.
He motioned for me to precede him to our table.
I loved the booth, decorated with 'I Love Lucy'
pictures.  Things were definitely looking up.
When we were seated at the table and had
both ordered chicken fried steak (hmmm. . .
one more thing in common), we broke the
second rule of our dating service.

Yes, we talked and talked.
About everything.
Our past relationships, at least the most recent.
What we believed in.
Our families.  God.
As he was talking, I found myself almost mesmerized
by those beautiful blue eyes!
And his voice. . .just like on the phone. . .
only better face to face.
I felt in my heart that I could fall in love with this man.
We didn't want to leave that wonderful place.
But we did.  Finally.
We talked for awhile out by my little car.
It was cold, and I imagined him putting his arm around me.
Hey.  Just being honest here.  Telling it like it was.
'I would sure like to see you again.' Odell said.
'Me, too.'
He said 'good.  I'll call you then.'
We both agreed it had been a really nice evening.
Then we said goodnight.  No kiss.
Not the first time.  But he did give me a little hug.
Which I gave back.  I am not that shy!
He opened my car door. . .again, what a gentleman.
I drove away before I remembered.
Christy had tried to give some daughterly advice before
meeting him.
'Mom, things aren't like when you dated Dad.  People
do things differently now.  You need to take money
to offer to pay for your meal.'
What?  Seriously?
But I did it, because she said I should, as crazy as it sounded!
I drove over to where he had his big truck parked.
He was just getting in and saw me drive up.
He turned around and squatted down by my passenger window.
He smiled.
I said, 'I am so sorry.  Did you want me to pay for my meal?'
He threw back  his head and laughed.  'Why, noooo!'
I felt so silly.
'My daughter told me to offer.'
He laughed again, shaking his head.
'I'm going to get her,' I said, shaking my head.
I was so impressed, the way he had squatted down to my
level, so I didn't have to get out or anything.

As I was driving away, I was thinking that I could
definitely care about this man!
I was to find out a couple months later
what his thoughts were as he followed me
to our table that first night. . .

SINGLES STATION

I found it in the phone book. 
So simple.  I made the call.
'Singles Station. May I help you?'
I heard, 'Single Station. Are you desperate?'
I may have been just a tiny bit paranoid
about this new venture?
I can't imagine why I would be.
It couldn't have anything to do with the
Hayride and the Coffee Club!
I waited and was connected with 'Mike.'
His job was to meet me and find the
perfect match for this girl.
'When could I come in?' he wanted to know.
I told him I was in my car, just needed to know
directions to this miracle place.
Okay.  Slight exaggeration.
However, I did go there that same day.

When all was said and done
my picture was on my profile card
with my life's story and my credit report.
Did I mention that I had to list
my children as collateral in addition
to my personal check?
I went home to await 'the call.'
I waited.
Still waiting.  . .
The call came.  I wasn't home.
I eagerly listened to my voice mail, and
fell in love with the voice on the other end.




He was sorry he had missed me, and 'if I didn't mind,
would I just give him a call back?'
Would I? 
I checked my makeup first.
What am I doing?  He can't see me!

We talked.  And talked.
We broke all the rules of this dating club we
both belonged to, 'make first call brief, no details
about our lives.'
Then, he said he wanted to meet me if I would like that.
I would.
Where would I like to go?  Out to dinner?
 Did I have a suggestion of where we might go?

I didn't.  Anywhere he said was fine with me.
We met that Saturday at Metro Diner, November 21, 1998.

When I first stepped inside and saw this guy. . .

BEFORE ODELL. . .MEET CHRISTY

It is 1997, the year our story began.

 My lovely daughter.
Fun, loving, creative, & talented.
Wonderful daughter, wife,
and mom.


Also Overprotective.
Very overprotective.
Decided my last short, rocky relationship
was a Train Wreck!
And determined that 'no one hurts my mama.'
She then proceeded to take reins in hand and 'fix mama up
with the right guy.'
Hayrides were suggested.  Promising to be plenty of men 'around my age.'
Wrong!  Teenagers everywhere!
Wait!  There's a good looking cowboy hopping
down from his Ford pickup.
Hmmmm....
Never mind.  Just dropping off teenage daughter.
Oh, well.  On to daughter's backup plan. . .
Christian Coffee Club.
This could be a good thing.
Sounds better than an itchy hayride any day!
'Men around my age' were once again promised.
Friend and I had a pricey cuppa Joe.
Left those teens behind.
Nice lady who greeted us
is telling us to 'come back anytime.
we can always use more chaperones!'
Called Christy and gave her the rundown in detail.
She laughed so hard, she actually. . .well,
you know. . .yes
she really did wet her pants!
Now who's getting the last laugh?

Tune back in to see how much bettter things
go when Mama takes back the reins
in search for Mr. Right.

I did tell you there would be humor,
so hang on as we round these crazy
bends together.

ODELL AND ME. . . .OUR LOVE STORY. . .

May 1, 2010, my heart had to say goodbye to my best friend.
My soulmate. 
The most wonderful of men.
The one who completed me.
My darling heart and love of my life.  
My husband, Odell Edwards.  
How can I every really say goodbye? 
I don't think it's possible. Not for this girl.
 Not for His Girl!  

  I hope you'll accept my invitation to come along with me down our memory lane of love.  There are some rough trails along the way, but with God in our hearts, a gift of humor, and always a deep love for each other,  we made it!  The desire of my heart in telling our love story is to keep his memory alive and to hopefully be an inspiration to you.
Whoever you may be.
Wherever you may be.
 In your own love story!

Until tomorrow. . .