Thinking Back to July 3

I told you in an earlier blog that July 3 was the 18th anniversary of the day when Debbie and I met in person for the first time. Last night as we spent a lot of time "remembering" and giving thanks, Debbie prepared our evening meal as a very close match to what she prepared that first day when we met.

She had the really great chicken-fried steaks, mashed potatoes, homemade gravy, biscuits and iced tea. You who have shared meals with us know that she makes some wonderful homemade biscuits. But on that first meal in 1989, she started the meal by apologizing for canned biscuits, that she had run out of time to prepare them. On July 3, 2007 she did the same thing, making the meal a pretty good fit to 18 years ago.

On that day 18 years ago I had driven into town with the usual idea that I would take her out to dinner, not realizing that there weren't that many places in Antlers OK where I could take her. There was the pizza place and the BearCat drive-in, or the McDonald's out on the Indian Nations Turnpike. But not much else. When I mentioned this that first visit, she told me that she was already cooking dinner right there at home. (Do I need to tell you that such a thing didn't happen much in those modern days of fast food?)

Debbie was a great cook then! She's even better now!! She's also a wonderful best friend, companion, partner and the sweetest wife a man could ever imagine. And God gave her to me as His very special gift -- and boy, am I ever thankful!