Go To Prom! Get To Church!

Dear Hubby, my John,  and I were teenagers when we first met  at Junior Achievement.  Junior Achievement was an organization, or kind of club, sponsored by local businesses that got kids together in groups of about 15 to create a company complete with product, production, selling, and management like a president and a treasurer.

John, back then, had almost blonde curly hair to his shoulders, and would pal around with two other boys always smiling and laughing and willing to participate in whatever was going on.

One of his pals asked me to a sock hop dance.  We liked each other but never really wanted to date after that, no romantic spark.

His friend suggested that John take me to prom.  He even joined John’s mom  in her push.  She was a “no ifs, ands, or buts about it” kind of lady,  She told him,  “You WILL go to prom.”  and promptly made a trunkload of snacks for the after prom trip to Kings Island!

******

Before prom, my family and I came home to find John “just a-swinging” on our front porch.  We said we were sorry but we couldn't stop to visit because we were headed to Wednesday night church meeting.  “You can come along.”  

“I can’t, in these blue jeans and tennis shoes,” And he slightly kicked up one shoed foot as evidence.

“Nobody cares, it doesn’t matter to anyone, just come on and go.”  And he did.  Our church is very humble, and seriously, nobody cared.  We're all friendly down-to-earth people.

Outside the church, on the sidewalk, Deacon JP made him feel welcome – patted him on the back while introducing himself.  Inside the church, Uncle Carl made him feel welcome, too.  It was a friendly moment he retells fondly.

He and I walked down the aisle.  Since he was new I picked the seat, right side, halfway up.   I guess he was expecting the family to sit with us.

Here I must tell you that I have 2 sisters, and 3 brothers, besides my mother, and father.  My father was a big boned man -- about 6 foot tall with big hands, all muscle, and deep voice.  His wedding ring would circle a quarter.  He would never hit us, he said, because he could cold cock us,  knock us out with one blow.  It was true; we believed him.  

Down the aisle Dad kept walking.

John watched as Dad didn't sit with the family, he walked all the way up the aisle, stepped past the podium, and sat down in the bishop’s seat.

John got bug-eyed, and shocked, “I’m dating the preacher’s daughter!”