Saturday, January 23, 2010

Prince Charming

An old friend found me on Facebook the other day (so glad Susan!) and we began to catch up. As I typed her the story of meeting, and falling in love with BJ, I realized I should document it here. I hope you enjoy it...

...about 10 years ago, I found myself a single mother with two beautiful children depending entirely on me. After a not-so-pleasant marriage, the peaceful atmosphere of our home was worth whatever I had to do to keep it that way. So, I was pretty convinced that I would not consider marrying again until my children were grown, if ever.

However, one of my best friends from high school Sherri, has always been a hopelessly romantic matchmaker and though she deemed me a "man-hater", she was convinced I had to be lonely when the kids were gone. She just HAPPENED to know a guy that she really liked, that was much like me (so she said). He had given up on women, but had a great personality and would be sooo much fun to hang out with... when the kids were gone - lol. Now, most of you won't know Sherri, but let me tell you - when she gets something in her head - there is no convincing her otherwise.. and she will drive you NUTS until you take some action. She had given me his email address (so I'm sure she'd given him mine) and asked me (bugged me) often about shooting him a note. Finally, I had enough and emailed him. I explained that I'd known Sherri for many years and that she was like a sister to me. Therefore, it was ok for me to tell him what a nag she could be : ). I explained that if we would tell her we were having a torrid affair, it would shut her up and we could make up some argument later and that would be that. He emailed me back laughing and we began to talk.

We spent the next six months discussing life, love, politics, children, music... I don't know anything we didn't talk about. And we were both blatantly honest. I mean, there was no interest in becoming romantically involved so why not? LOL! We became fast friends, even talking about people we dated (I said I wasn't going to get serious, I didn't say I was going to be bored ;-). Finally the stars aligned and we planned to meet for dinner. When we decided they were gonna kick us out of the restaurant (The Brickhouse, for those of you that are natives.. what a great place, huh?), we went to my apartment and sat by the lake with marqaritas and talked until the sun came up.

Somewhere in the conversation, BJ mentioned he had two tickets to see Eric Clapton (I think the next week, but it could have been two.. that part's fuzzy : ) and asked if I'd like to go. It was during finals week, so I told him I couldn't - ughhh, so sadly.. one of the many things we had found in common was a love of the Blues. I was passing up Clapton in Memphis, with a great guy? Hell no. Someone was gonna have to give my finals for me. I called him in a few days and told him I'd make arrangements and he said "you're on".

We talked all the way to Memphis (you would THINK we would run out of conversation by now, and maybe I talked all the way to Memphis, lol.. I'll have to ask him that sometime). Clapton was amazing, and walking down Beale soaking up the music and that wonderful smell of Memphis.. the city, the river, the excitement... I fell head over heals. He was a great friend, he was a gentleman, I felt incredibly safe with him - and he made me laugh, continuously.

I spent every minute the kids weren't home that summer with him, and it never seemed enough time. That was the last summer I didn't work almost the whole "vacation", and I felt like my high school students when it came time to go back to school. I always look forward to the beginning of the school year, but that year it was hard. I had gotten used to sleeping 'till noon, layin by the pool 'till he could get away from the store, the evenings went by too fast, then I would start the cycle all over... waiting for the next day. (Oh, I read a TON that summer too.. Heaven!) Sounds like one of those high school summer loves doesn't it? It felt like that! Crazy.. I don't know about everywhere else, but in Hot Springs.. summer is intense. The population seems to double. Fast boats. An occasional good band. Warm nights and cool water.. The Spa was the setting of a few young summer loves for me, and then the place where I fell in love with BJ.

Eventually, I sealed our fate by introducing him to my children. I'm not sure who fell in love first. But it was definitely mutual. He loved spending time with them and they loved him. He sincerely wanted to be with them, and they knew it. Always trust children and dogs, they are great judges of character. Wisdom from Tammy.

So one day we loaded the kids up, drove to Memphis and got married. (I'm pretty sure it was the first time Beej had been in the Shelby County Courthouse that he wasn't handcuffed : ). And that was the beginning of the rest of my life. The next years were a whirlwind. Ballgames, concerts and yearbooks. Tennis matches and homework. BB King and Beale. The kids still don't love the Blues like we do, but they appreciate it.. and they love Memphis - and their Dad. So that's the story of how I fell in love with Prince Charming.. I miss the old days of lazy summers and weekends in Memphis, but they'll come again when this crazy ride we're on now slows down. And I'm glad I'll be able to spend that time with BJ, aka Prince Charming.

4 comments:

StitchinByTheLake said...

Great story Tam - and you know it's good if even your mother enjoyed it (and learned a few things!) blessings, mom

Grandma Yellow Hair said...

So happy you found me so I could find your site. I so enjoyed your story. I too have been single a while now but like you I do not see a prince charming in my future.
It is great you found yours
Maggie
Thanks for joining me I could not find where to join you

Michelle said...

I just caught that you were Marlene's daughter, and I love her dearly, so I had to come check out your blog. I loved the story of Prince Charming, and I'll be back for more.
be blessed,
Michelle

Krystle said...

what a cool story.
p.s. I miss you!