My Blog For You

A day for most like other days.  Not for me.  I was like a cat on a hot tin roof.  Anxious, nervous but very much hopeful that Tamm would say “Yes”. I came down for my usual weekend time with Tamm accept that New Year’s Eve was on a Thursday this year, New Year’s Day was Friday, then Saturday and Sunday then back to work. It was our first four-day holiday together.  I had all my stuff as I drove from home to work like normal but then drove out of the Seattle area all packed on Thursday evening getting there after dark.  Dark, if you did not know it, in the Northwest is usually around 4:30 to 5:00pm.  The church had scheduled a New Year’s Eve celebration and party after the service and of course a countdown to 12:00 and a New Year, 2009.  I had planned to ask her, bend the knee the whole enchilada.  I was thinking about it, almost acting it out in my mind all day at work and into the evening as I drove down to meet her.  I had planned to pick her up around 5:00pm, go get some food and go to the church for sound check at 6:30pm with the service starting at 7:30pm.  I think it would be like a lot of services.  Worship would set the tone for the evening along with some testimonies of what God had done in 2008 for many at the church as well as many speaking hopefuls of what God would do in 2009.  The mood of the gathering was upbeat, and I was especially excited and ready.  I had told no one of the time I would ask her only that I was gonna ask her soon.  I knew that time was tonight.  Not sure why I did not tell anyone, just didn’t.  Played the worship set and sat down next to Tamm, kind of by autopilot.  Got thru a very uplifting time with the Body of Christ in Longview, my mind was fixed on other things…LOL…“Bigger Fish to Fry” …is something I say from time to time.  It was especially apropos tonight.  The end of the service came and went and then we all gathered in the Fellowship Hall.  Had some more goodies, cake, veggies, chips, and a soft drink, diet coke was my favorite at the time.  Got locked up in conversation with those at the service just kind of waiting for 12:00 midnight to come, give my girl a big kiss and then surprise her.  That moment came and I did just that, a big kiss on the lips, a big hug, then somehow it was my plan to guide her back to the sanctuary where all the people were now gone, and it was quiet, and I could pop the question.  We sat down by the sound booth near the top of the row.  We sat for a few moments, taking in the quiet of the night.  My heart was racing, then with a lot of Calm Assurance I managed to get up out of my seat and with all the courage and nerve I pulled out of my coat pocket, the ring box, turned ttoward Tamm and proceeded to get down on one knee and looking into her face I said to her, Tamm, would you put this ring on and never take it off till death do us part.  Would you marry me Lovie”?             A side note to the name I call her, I am sure you remember the character Thurston Howell the third from the TV show Gilligan’s Island.  Thurston was a very proud man, but he loved his wife, Lovie.  He called her that all the time.  It was his charm word for her.  I started calling her that after I had decided to ask her to marry me.  Tammy calls me even today “Sweetie”, but she calls a lot of people that, her kids, grandkids etc.  In her phone my phone number is under “Sweetheart”.  I think I am the only one I have heard her call that handle.  “Sweetheart”.  I am her “Sweetheart” I love her very much.  I have a few names for her.  I have told you one, Lovie.  Of course, I call her by her name Tammy, Tamm for short but on occasion I call her Babe, or Sweetie but Lovie is my “charm” name for her.  Even when I am excited, exasperated or just plain upset or mad, I call her that.  It has a way of calming me down (HAHA) when I could go off like a bottle rocket.  I bet you want to know what she said after I asked her and opened the ring box.  Tammy is never one to scream, shout or jump up and down unless she is mad.  This moment all that came out of her mouth was a quick gasp for air (ahhhhh).    I could tell she loved the ring when she saw it as her face lit up like birthday candles on a cake.  She did not get overly emotional.  I do not remember seeing her cry or anything.  She was just full of joy.  Her first reaction was just that, Joy, all over her face and thankfulness.  In her own words later, God, had brought someone into her life she could trust, someone she could love, someone she could partner with.  She said…” Yes, I will marry you, Sweetheart”.  I jumped right up on that, grabbed the ring, and put it on her finger and gave her another kiss and a hug.  I said “I also got you a gold chain so you can take it off when you are working.  I knew you wouldn’t want to wear it while you were working”.  I think I hit a home run by her big smile.  We kissed again and we got up and walked back into the Fellowship Hall.  She immediately started showing off to all those who were there, her new ring, telling everyone that her and I were getting married soon.  Of course, everyone was excited and congratulatory.  I got a lot of hugs and pats on the back from those who were left.  It was a great night and a great start to a life I really cherished, wanted, and needed.  She was the last stop for this boy.  I don’t mean to lessen my commitment and love for Tamm, but it was just that.  My life had had many ups and downs, good and bad, tragic and mountain top experiences.  For me, it was the end of the line.  I was sure going to honor that part “Till Death Do Us Part”.  I was in for the long haul.  At 53 years of age, I had finally come home.  Soon Tammy would be my wife.  The Lord had said it was good…

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