LIFE'S LITTLE LESSONS

Today, John and I celebrate 43 years of marital bliss. Yep! Forty three years ago, we stood before a small gathering, facing my earthly father, attended by John's brother and my college roommate, vowing "I do." to whatever the question was.

Most folks who know us have heard the story of our courtship. Basically,when LaPhonia (college roomie) asked if I'd like to get a group together on January 4th, to celebrate several January birthdays, I answered, "Because John and I have birthdays on January 3rd and 5th, I was sort of saving the 4th in case he asked me out." Naturally, LaPhonia went directly to John and told him that he and I had a date on the 4th.

So, beginning our relationship with a clear misunderstanding, he took me to a fine restaurant for our first date. By the end of January, we were spending quite a bit of time together, and I took it upon myself to tell him I really wanted only friendship, and if he wanted more than that, we needed to "cool it." He assured me that was his thinking also.

On February 4th, he phoned to ask me if I could find someone off campus to stay with; he had something important to share. Helen and Jerry McBee kindly took me in for the night. John got off work very late. He took me through the entire Bible, pointing out scriptures on marriage, wife, husband, parenting. Then he asked me to marry him. I asked for time to think about it; I promised to answer soon and drifted off to sleep. Every time I woke up, John was still right there patiently awaiting my answer. By dawn's early light, February 5th, I said ok.

Each of us should have learned a lesson about the other that fateful night. I should have learned that any project John undertakes, he studies it to the Nth degree.

He should have learned that I can fall asleep under any circumstances.

For those reading this who are not mathmatically inclined, Our engagement was all of 18 days long. The wedding cost us less than $100, including flowers and the rings we still wear. And the preacher (Hugh Ousley) even returned our $5 payment with a note to John stating, "This is for taking Betty off our hands."