The Story of Us...

I was just thinking last night about my next posting topic. About how I should tell my story - with Brian. And today, I got a message from Melissa asking how I met Brian. Well... I figured I'd just tell her the complete story and I might as well tell you too!

While in high school, I got a part time job at a grocery store called Food World (there on Tyndall Parkway for you locals). (It's no longer there by the way.) I was working in the deli making pizzas! I worked there for almost 3 years actually. Anyway, Brian was in the Air Force (in Vehicle Maintenance - a mechanic - put simply), stationed at Tyndall and didn't know anyone or have many people to hang out with (I'm guessing) and he wanted extra money. So, he got a part time job in the DELI at Food World! He started in like February, 1992. (somewhere in there) He worked nights doing general work... slicing meats & cheeses, bagging breads and all that sort of thing. Well, we worked together alot. We talked and talked most of the nights away while trying to work. (I had a boyfriend at the time.) So, one thing led to another ... I broke up with my boyfriend. He'd come up to the store when he had the night off and wait around for me to get off work. We'd hang out in my car or his and talk for a bit, then we'd both head our separate ways. By this time, it was probably mid to late June. In early July, I asked my brother to get an apartment with me. We found a little 2 bedroom apartment in Springfield (right around the corner from Rutherford High School, caddy-corner from Everitt Middle School.) We had so much fun. At least I did. Just having the freedom to be able to do what I wanted. Even though I didn't do ANYTHING that I shouldn't!! (I don't know why!!) And so, Brian would come over and hang out. There were a few times that he slept over on the weekends. Then all of a sudden, he just didn't go back home (to the base apartment). On August 4th, he asked me to marry him. We'd never really talked about it. But I said yes. (Pause here ... I NEVER even considered that this Iowa boy would not make Florida his permanent home!!!! And I'd known people that were stationed at Tyndall for AGES, FOR EVER!! So, it never occured to me that we would leave!!!)

I turned 18 in September. We planned a little courthouse marriage in October. We gathered my Granny, my aunt Glynis, my uncle Gerald, my cousin Sheryl and said our "I do's" outside under an Oak tree. Thankfully Sheryl snapped a few pictures of us so we have that at least. We were married by the clerk, Martha Mason.

Then we got an apartment on Cherry Street. Yes, I left my brother high and dry. I didn't want to, but I was married now. I needed to get out on my own.

We got our orders in April/May, 1993 to go to Okinawa, Japan. Brian could go alone for 2 years or with me for 3 years. He wouldn't leave me, so I agreed to go. This was the first time for alot of things! Leaving home, flying in an airplane, being more than 1 hour away from any family whatsoever! I'd only been up to Tennessee at that point!

We spent 3 years in Okinawa. This is called the Two-Baby Tour. Yep! I had Kayla over there in 1994. Then we came back in 1996 (pregnant), was on leave for about a month or so. Then it was time to report for duty at his next station. That happened to be Darn Grand Forks, North Dakota!!! This Florida Girl was NOT ready for that!! Let me tell you! I was scared to death!! We moved into a duplex on base. It was around July/August I think. So, I had plenty of time to prepare for snow. It snowed before Halloween! Kayla was 2 and I was pregnant with Tyler. He was born on base in February 1997. Brian got out of the Air Force in 1998.

While in Okinawa, I met a girl that felt like my soul mate! Like an exact duplicate of me, my heart and soul. A girl that I instantly felt complete, total comfort with! It was weird! That girl is Rachel. I've since been invited into her family and adopted as her sister. That right there, that invitation. It changed me. It made me whole! I can't explain it! She and Brandon were our almost constant companions! We also met Jeff and Elizabeth there. They were constant companions too. We traveled all over that island tons of times over! Just to say we could and did! The Pineapple Factory was ALMOST a weekly trip! I don't know why. ??

Back to my story now... I do have to mention that while in North Dakota, we lived through the most horrible blizzard (1997) on record to date. And then, if that wasn't enough, lost power for DAYS! With a newborn baby and a 2 1/2 year old!! Not to mention a Florida girl that had NEVER seen snow like this before!! **WHEW** That was a hard one! THEN.. if THAT wasn't enough... later on, when the snow melted, the whole TOWN was flooded! They closed most of the town down completely while people desperately sand-bagged and rushed out of homes and businesses. What a mess!

While in Grand Forks, I had the awesome pleasure of meeting Joe. Joe worked with Brian. He was always invited over to eat, drink and be merry. We would get together and all go out to drink and just have a general good time. Good times and stuff, Man! Good times! I could share lots of memories here about Joe, but I'll get back to my story! Oh, not before I forget to mention Tina. I met Tina by getting a Temp job at Ecolab Pest Elimination. We were packed into a room in cubicles. I happened to get planted next to Tina. One day, I bravely stuck my head out of my cubicle and caught her attention. I said these magical words, "Would you like an Altoid? They're curiously strong mints." That was history. She cracked up! We were instant friends. And we were practically inseperable! So, Brian, me, Tina and Joe (and a crowd of others) would get together and all go out ... and drink. It was fun. Sometimes Joe would call Ecolab to prank us. He'd sometimes have to call 6-7 times to get either me or Tina. Then he would say something completely hilarious and we'd have to try to keep our end of the conversations half-way calm and serious. Then he'd just hang up. It was so funny. That was hilarious, Joe!! Now, I have to get back to the story here....

Brian's dad started the fire protection company and so Brian wanted to come back to Iowa for a guaranteed job. Sprinkler fitters are in his family! Dad, Uncles, Grandpa... it was a calling. :) So, with my heels dug ... I reluctantly agreed to come here - to Iowa. Instead of high-tailing it back to warmer, tropical weather with my family gathered around me!

Now, that is the story of me and Brian, along with Kayla and Tyler. The brief version. Believe it or not! So, see? We are lots of fun. We have potential. We could be hilariously fun to hang out with! So, why do we spend ALL of our time at home... alone?! Hmmm?

And now, I must say I've been fasting and praying for Lori & Ted and little Abenezer! Please say a prayer that they will be able to go bring him home soon!