Friday, January 19, 2018

Blast from the Past

There isn't much to watch on TV in the month of January.  So I purchased a movie while the Holiday promos were on sale -- $2 for "The Longest Ride".  It's based on a Nicholas Sparks book, and the male star is Scott Eastwood, Clint's son.  Of course, I had to watch just based on those two facts alone!  It's a good little story ..... typical chick flick in most ways ....

When boy asks the girl on a first date, she expects dinner in town.  Instead, he drives out to a lake, pulls a blanket from the truck, spreads it out over a picnic table and pulls out food for supper.  Aww ... how romantic, right?  But what struck me in a flash of memory was my first date with the man who would turn out to be my second husband.  And I felt the need to write it all down .....

We both worked for the same company, but in different branches.  After a monthly management meeting, it was normal for all of us to head over to a local restaurant for eats and to unwind.  Charles grabbed my elbow on the way out and whispered "Let's skip this, I'll take you for dinner."  I agreed and we hopped into his car and headed out.  To my surprise, we headed up into the Santa Cruz Mountains; we've known each other for years, so it wasn't uncomfortable; we passed the time chatting about work issues and such.  In spite of the darkness, we arrived at Big Basin State Park and he pulled into a campsite.  Hopping out of the car, he said "Wait here..."  I waited; he opened the trunk and started pulling things out.  When I saw the flash of a match, I watched him light two candles and set them on the table.  He walked over, opened my door, handed me a single red rose, and we walked to the table where a blanket was tossed over the picnic table, and goodies for dinner were there to be enjoyed.  He opened a bottle of wine and poured me a glass.  We smiled, talked some more, and enjoyed dinner under the stars and candlelight.  

It was the first time someone had gone to that much effort for a "date" with me.  

As I get older, I find odd flashes of memories jump out at me.
And I consider it important to write these things down.
So I can enjoy them again when I've lost my mind!  hah!

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