Memories of Mom #39

Dearest Emi and Ava,

It seemed very fitting today, on your mom’s and my wedding anniversary, to tell you about how your mom and I met.

I totally credit Frank and Tina Hill for introducing me to your mom.

Back in the early 1800’s, I was good friends with Frank and Tina.  Well, actually not that long ago, but since you think I’m ancient…the time period seemed fitting.

Anyway, I was really good friends with Frank and Tina.  In fact, Frank was the fire chief and I was one of his assistant chiefs at the local fire department – so we spent a lot of time at work together.

It was also a time in my life when I didn’t have any family close by, so I spent a lot of time off duty with Frank and Tina.  In fact,  I was pretty much adopted in to the Hill family.

I became sort of like that weird 3rd cousin that hung out at family gatherings with them (e.g., Christmas, Thanksgiving, cookouts, etc.).

Your mom was Tina’s cousin.  Tina’s mom (Marilyn) and Papa are sister and brother.

And so, by default, I knew your mom casually because I would see her at Frank and Tina’s house or at family functions.

In mid 2000, your mom and I started hanging out and after a while quietly started dating.

I say quietly, because Papa and Uncle Chris also worked at the fire department and Papa had threatened all of the firefighters that they COULD NOT date his daughter. 🙂

Of course, I didn’t listen.  Your mom was so beautiful and we got along so well!  Tina and Frank were the first ones that we told when we started dating.  🙂

One of our first official dates was the Faith Hill and Tim McGraw concert.  We sat way up in the nose bleed section in the back, but it was a lot of fun to go to together.  Right around that same time, one of our other first dates was to the Arkansas State Fair, where we took our first ever picture together.  It’s one of my favorites! (see the black and white pic to the right)

Over the years, Tina and Frank have been some of our very best friends in the world.  We’ve done lots of things and had lots of fun with them – which you well know.  Like I said, I completely credit them with introducing me to your mom.  And I will forever be thankful and indebted to them for doing so!  We loved and love them so much!

I love you!

~Dad