Christmas was practically here. I was heading home from my naval duty station in Newport, Rhode Island to be with my family in Annapolis. During my Christmas Leave at home, a friend called and asked if I wouldn’t mind going out with a buddy of his stationed nearby in Washington DC.
I really respected this friend. I was home for two weeks while the school command was closed for the Christmas break so it was like an early Christmas present. I happily said yes.
When Gary called that first time I couldn’t tell you a thing we said except I was surprised the call lasted 45 minutes. On December 27th 1985, Gary arrived to take me out on our blind date. He walked into the front room of that family house which we now own. It is fun to think about that when I sit in our front room together of that first “sighting”. My dad and brother were busy playing air hockey and stopped their playing to visit with Gary. My dad was known for his probing questions so I did my best to move Gary quickly to his car.
We had a great dinner out that again was filled with conversation. The first meeting was not love at first sight but it was interest at first word. So I am glad our strength was in our talking because the talking is getting better while the dimming eyes are overlooking the changing scenery.