Saturday 29 March 2008

My first date with Mama!

On October 3, 1963, Mama walked into the store cafeteria - I was a 20 year old nervous young man, we had planned this first date over a year earlier! It was about noon, I was 30 minutes early. She smiled at me, and I smiled back - It was the very first time we had seen each other! I had driven over 3 hours to meet her. I lived in Northwestern Michigan she in Southeastern Michigan.

We had written close to 375 letters to each other but had never met. Now I was "'home" on leave from the USAF from Italy for 60 days. The first week in December I would head to Crete, in the Mediterranean Sea. I would be gone for 15 more months.

She looked pretty, but nervous. We were to have lunch together, she worked at the store. So I had to wait. We talked - went to a park and swung on the swings. The weekend was a blur. We went to a special service at church that night. Mama considered it our first date, I considered it our second date - I wanted a kiss! Mama said; "no!" I was disappointed! :o( The "3rd" date I got my first kiss - since then there have been many kisses and two children.

On November 21, 1963 mama and I got engaged. We were excited! We have been best friends ever since!

42 comments:

Darla said...

I love this post!!! I love hearing how love just blooms! hahaha i am such a romantic...and papa you can tell a romantic story. So you were military and mama was writing sweet letters, how did she get your mail address?? I know I ask alot of questions..by the way I was born October 5 1961, so I consider everything that starts in October a winner!

Indian Lake Papa said...

DArla - I got mama's address from a friend of mine who was going to a Christian college w/mama. She was working part-time. You were a little young for me but probably would have been easier to train! :o) We wrote over 400 more letters when I went back overseas. I cried & cried when we separated at the airport. Darla - she has always been a Godly woman!

1372 minutes and 11 seconds before she gets home!

Kimberly McKay said...

Awww you're such a sweetie and a romantic. I love this genuine and open show of love for your lovely wife. I'm so glad that God has blessed you with eachother!

Robin said...

Beautiful story :) You two are terrific!

Indian Lake Papa said...

Wornoutwoman - she has NEVER ever been less than Godly, I have never seen her faith quiver.

Robin - she is my priceless gift from God!

1345 minutes & 17 seconds to see her!

Darla said...

awwwwwwww Papa! you help me remember that romance is not dead! Not to many men would openly share their undying love for their woman...very touching...I am excited for you for mama to come home!

Indian Lake Papa said...

Darla - what was an eye opener years ago was a marriage retreat. We were asked;
First rate yourself as a communicator 1 to 10. Second rate your mate - then share. I rated both of us as "10". Mama gave me a 2 !! :o( I was hurt, upset! But - she was right! I think she would at least give me a 4 now!:o) It is critical in a marriage - must be there! If not - its tough going. And I don't buy into this personality crap!!!! Do it!!! Sorry, got carried away!

Darla said...

hahahaha I agree 100% marriage is worth the effort and work put into it, and communication/listening is key!

Indian Lake Papa said...

Darla - your right 100% - each! It is not a 50/50 deal!

Brandy said...

awwww I loved reading this!!! I had a huge smile on my face!! My face hurts from so much smiling!! :D

Jake and I wrote letters back and forth too while he was in basic training and tech school. :D We still have all of them. I even bought a small notebook and we each wrote in it, sending it back and forth. :D

Papa, I love you and Mama!! :D

CrossView said...

Neat story! =D
What did you consider to be your first date?
How long were you in the Air Force?

And she comes home tonight!

Indian Lake Papa said...

Brandy - mama still has some of the letters - especially all the ones where I made all those promises! The ones she didn't keep we won't be discussing on line! o)

Crossview - I was in the USAF 45 months. I was very fortunate, made E5 SSgt after 27 months, I had just turned 20! I considered the store meeting our first date!

Mama be home in 691 minutes & 18 seconds! Around 7PM!

Beka and Bill said...

Awww! That is such a sweet story!! She will be home before you know it!! And you will be sooooo happy!!!!

Darla said...

Papa- I am expecting you have a huge smile now!!! Hope you let mama get some rest..do you think she will post something about her trip?

welcome home Mama!

Anonymous said...

Is Mama back yet Papa?? Have her write if she gets a minute....what a beautiful story....you guys make my heart say "ahhhhhhh"...Love you guys!

Indian Lake Papa said...

Hi GG! Its 2:20 here, mama should be back by about 7PM - We wont be on line much before 9pm. I want to check her tattoo's over very carefully and make sure I got the right one back!

276 minutes 27 seconds till mama gets home!

Tam said...

I can see it now in the book stands...

"Mama & Papa - the Memoirs...the memories every couple wish THEY had!"

Hurry up Mama...come on home!!

Indian Lake Papa said...

Tam - I wonder what section you would find the book? Comedy or Adult Content??


255 minutes 18 seconds! Lets see, which tattoo should I check first ???

Darla said...

def the one that says I love papa!

Indian Lake Papa said...

I will have mama do a "de-briefing" (I was going to make a smart comment - but will skip that) as soon as she is up to speed! Remember she is old!! :o)

Darla - I like I love mama better!

240 minutes exactly to go!

Tam said...

oooo...Papa's HOTT tonight!!!!

Tam said...

should someone call and warn mama???

Indian Lake Papa said...

Tam - She already knows!!!

185 minutes 38 seconds and 1 "I love Papa" tattoo to go!

Anonymous said...

Oh dear, it's 7:20 there.... how many tattoos have been unveiled by now???? ;-)

Welcome Home Mama!!!!
Hope we took good care of your boy! ;-)

Indian Lake Papa said...

Heh Heh - Mama's home! I recognize her by the tattoo's!

Robin said...

Glad she made it home safely and that you are still in one piece... Guess she has some laundry to do since I didn't make it down there :)

Tanya said...

How beautiful, I love to hear the stories on how people met. Thank you so much for sharing that. I am glad that God made that a beautiful meeting. God bless you papa and mama. Love Tanya

Indian Lake Papa said...

Tanya, sometimes I worry that people might think I am "putting it on a little thick," But I am blessed! :o)

Indian Lake Papa said...

Beka, you know mama - she is the bestest! A real winner!

CrossView said...

He survived! =D

Indian Lake Papa said...

Crossview - I am a survivor - I took medication to calm myself, some call it chocolate!

Anonymous said...

K Papa, when you're done examining tatoos, could you share Mama with us a little so she could tell us about her time away? Love you guys!

Indian Lake Papa said...

GG - Two tattoo's to go! One says "Private Property!" the other I sorry, can't tell you.

I'll try to get her to tell her story tonight.

Kimberly McKay said...

Okay mr 3 old Hens---gee thanks! :) Seriously, I can speak for all three of us that we appreciate the link no matter what kind of names you call us! :)

Heather said...

Papa...you just kill me! You are such a big love bug:)

By the way....I read your comment about wanting to speak to a Women's group and what your topic would be...You sure are brave, aren't ya??? hahaha...

Love and Blessings

Indian Lake Papa said...

W-O-W - So you are one of the "hens"! I am not sure which one - but I hope that works well! It sounds neat!

Heather - I could handle it - as long as they didn't' throw things! I'll let you in on a little secret on your blog!

Kimberly McKay said...

PS...papa, I saw you left a comment on Actions Speak Loudest. Small world. She goes to church with some old friends of mine, Mark and Joan...hence Daniel. I found her blog through Mark and his emails. I'm glad you're a reader of hers too, and hopefully a prayer warrior as well.

Indian Lake Papa said...

Hi W O W - Yes Robin is the second blogger I had met! I met her from another young lady she knew that I believe also attended that church. Her name is Jessica. By the way I think I figured out which "hen" you are! :o)

Indian Lake Papa said...

This is Mama and this is how I remember it! :)
He was at LEAST 2 1/2 hours early. I was even more scared than he was but one thing that really impressed me right from the beginning was that he was a perfect gentleman!!
Needless to say he won my heart.

MAMA

Robin said...

Awwwww how sweet :) You two are terrific!

Indian Lake Papa said...

RObin - I was a gentleman alright! She didn't have any tattoo's yet!

Robin said...

I know your secret :)