Friday, November 12, 1976

I was living in Lubbock, Texas in a new one-bedroom apartment. The day started out normal enough, the weather was crisp yet clear. I had several things to do that day, changes were about to take place in my life, and I needed to get ready for them. Early that afternoon I met up with a few guys for a little male bonding at a bowling ally. My plan for the rest of the day included washing the car. Around 5:00 pm I headed to the car wash and I must say I looked like a dummy for being there. The weather had changed from clear and crisp to cloudy, cold, windy, and snowing.

A short time after washing the car with snow coming down like I’d never seen before, I headed to the church building. By this time the snow had begun to accumulate, and the driving was already becoming hazardous. We would later learn that some of the family members headed to join us had rolled their car on the way in from Eastern New Mexico. Another family got there, but it was well after the event was over.

At a few minutes after 8:00 pm I stood in front of an audience of friends and family, and sang a John Denver song; Annie’s Song as the woman of my dreams, and my life walked down the aisle to join me. Thirty minutes later I was a married man. My live has been nothing less than a beautiful dream ever since.

Friday, November 12, 1976 is the day Paula Kay Goyne became Paula Kay Smith. She has been an amazing gift. God blessed me far beyond what I deserve when He sent Paula my way. She has been my strength, and my support for the last thirty-three years. She is the only woman I have ever made love with. She is the mother of my two children, and the grandmother of my four grandchildren. Joshua, and Miranda got their inner and outer beauty from Paula. They got their brains from her, their athletic ability from her, and most of their faith from her. She is an amazing woman.

Our lives have taken a few turns along way, some wonderful, and some trying. We have shared numerous honeymoons together on weekend getaways and spring vacations, and we have clung to one another through some not so good times. Paula was my strength as I suffered with depression after a failure that we are still recovering from. A few days ago as Paula and I were eating supper at our favorite bar and grill, I told her once again, “Loving you is the easiest the thing I have ever done.” 

Friday, November 12, 1976 the day I became one with Paula.

Till next time,

Grump