The Story of Us. Part Seven.

* The Disclaimer


June 23, 1998


It was Tuesday - Mike had left for VA on Monday. Monday evening, I made plans with Mike's aunt and uncle to meet with them Tuesday night for dinner. His aunt was more than nine months pregnant with their first little one, and I was set to be their babysitter. We were planning for a dinnertime-meeting to talk logistics before baby came. But there was a hitch. I had a later-evening appointment with Olan Mills, of all things, to take a church directory picture with my family. So it worked out for Dave and Christy to pick me up a la church clothes, go to dinner, and drop me off at the church in time for our picture appointment.


By Tuesday afternoon, I was halfway through Band Camp (gracious, those summers were just as busy as they are now!). I had my meeting set with Dave and Christy. I remember getting ready and literally thinking, "What if...Mike never left...and showed up tonight?!?" And that thought was immediately followed by, "If you think it, it doesn't happen... Crazy girl."


Bedecked in yellow and heels and hose, I was ready - and a little uncomfortably overdressed - for the babysitting meeting.


And the doorbell rang.


And through the screen door, I saw Mike. YES.

And remembered to breathe, and got in the car with him, and his aunt and uncle, and was asked, "Have you ever eaten at the Reata?" The Reata is one of downtown Ft. Worth's premier restaurants. At that point in history, it was on the top floor of the now-long-gone Bank One tower.


And so was our first date. With everyone dressed up. Sans babysitting discussion.


And then, I met up with my parents, and was all smiles for the church picture (below).

(Sorry - only picture taken that day!)

Wondering how Mike was in two places at once? Backstory forthcoming.