Brian and I became engaged on September 11, 1992. I remember feeling excitement, fear, and anxiety all in one breath. This was the first big decision I made without consulting my mother first. I recall saying, “yes, but let’s not tell anyone!” HA! I honestly wanted to ask my mother’s permisson. Wow, how times have changed!
Our 10 month engagement was packed full of life changing events. My step-dad turned 50 the very next weekend (which is when Brian asked for his blessing), Brian graduated from Texas Tech, Brian scored his first big-boy job at Louis Dreyfus in Fort Worth and we found a cute little house with a yellow kitchen really close to the Hulen Mall. We were ready! But this blog really isn’t about us, so keep reading!
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| The silly ugly couch we moved & me probably talking to my mom on phone. |
I remember the call. It was May 21st, mid morning. “Good Morning!” to which he replied, “are you sitting down?” After graduation on May 15th, Brian pulled out of Lubbock with a horse trailer full of his furniture headed to the Throckmorton ranch. My mom and I headed to Marshall. Brian flew out of Fort Worth on the 16th for an orientation week in Kansas City. The plan would be on May 22, Brian’s parents would pull the trailer to Fort Worth and meet me and my parents and Brian to move Brian’s things into our new house we would share after we were married. That was the plan. Except I got the “are you sitting down call.”
“Yes, I’m sitting down.”
“I have to report to work in McGehee, Arkansas, Monday morning.”
“ok, baby, thats fine. We can get everything moved in. Don’t worry about it.”
“I don’t think you understand.”
“yea, it will be fine. Our dads can handle the heavy lifting. Mom and I will clean. Your mom will organize. We can get everything done without you. No worries. Go do what you have to do.”
“No, I report to work in McGehee. Permanently.”
Huh? “I don’t understand. Our house is in Fort Worth. That was the deal. Half way between Throckmorton and Marshall. Texas! Perfection. Where in the heck is McGehee?” I definitely did not understand.
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| Brian's parents, Brian & Bud in front of McGehee home. |
McGehee, Arkansas. The company provided housing for Brian until we were married in July and bought a cute little 1100 square foot home on Paul Circle. I made friends with a couple of gals in Brian’s office and one helped me get a job at the First National Bank as a teller. Her dad was the President. Everyone who worked at the bank was old! At least 30. HAHA Except 2 guys. Jim and Matt. They were my friends even thought they made fun of me for being a “city girl” from Marshall, Texas! Is that not the funniest thing you have heard?
One day, Brian came to bring me lunch, or just come say hi. I can’t remember. It was a quick visit. Afterwards, Matt strolled across the lobby asking, “was that your husband?” “yes.” “well, hell, he ain’t nothing but a country boy. I could be friends with him. Y'all come to dinner tonight and watch football.” After back and forth banter about asking him if he made sure it was ok with his wife, etc, he assured me it was fine. I had never met her, but they had stopped by to ask for a corkscrew once. She stayed in the truck, and I had no idea what a corkscrew was and was certain we didn’t have one. (I was so city….. psssh) We showed up for dinner. Not only had he not asked his wife, he had not even mentioned it.
And, so our story began. Sherrie Kay and I cleaned her kitchen so we could cook dinner together. We found it was easier for 2 people to clean and cook in one kitchen than us clean and cook in our own. We cooked and cleaned more together in our time in McGehee than we did on our own. Literally nearly every night. I still can’t cook chicken fried steak without thinking of McGehee. 90210 nights were pizza nights. Lunches were take out or grill cheeses and soup. Vacations, or weekend aways were made for 4 instead of 2. Sweet Sydney, who didn’t care for men much, took to Brian and I like we were her aunt and uncle. She felt just as comfortable at my house as she did at her own - comfortable enough to spill red fingernail polish on the carpet! We got it all out, no worries! We alternated deep cleaning each others houses; today, my house-tomorrow, yours. We were always together. Pregnant with Layne and Cole, we even scheduled our OB appointments together in Pine Bluff. I don’t have many memories in McGehee without Matt and SK. And then the call came, “are you sitting down?” And my time in McGehee was over.  |
| Fun Get-a-ways! |
But not the friendship.
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| Limo Ride for SK birthday! What is it they say? Low Quality picture/High Quality Friendship? |
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| Mexico, Cruises, and New Orleans! |
Every move Brian and I made, came with a visit from the Mile’s or a vacation alongside them. We raised our boys together , yet in separate states and basically by telephone. And then our girls. There were very few homes we lived in they didn’t visit. And we tried to make visits back to McGehee. Our kids didn’t really get to know each other until later in life (because lets face it, we preferred adult get-a-ways), though they were all raised knowing the specialness of our families friendship. In the awkward late elementary and middle school. ages, we worried about the young girls getting along. It was awkward. Not for long. They out grew that! Knowing when push came to shove the Carleton kids would have the Miles kids back and vice versa.
Everyone deserves a Sherrie Kay in their life. Someone who answers, listens and shows up. Someone who is there everytime you get the, "are you sitting down" call! This sweet friend has driven hours to be at my side during my moms stroke, my dad’s death, and just bad days. My time beside her were at more joyous times — weddings! And so fun! It was a treat getting a front row seat to my sweet Sydney’s joyous occasion and watching her become a mother. And, of course Layne’s wedding!
Layne and Ryane welcomed their sweet son Luke, and at the urging of Ryane’s mother, entered Luke in a contest. Thus all my sharing on Facebook! Only 5 more days to vote, so please join me in sharing and voting!
Today and everyday I celebrate this sweet friend of mine. Let's be honest. I cried learning about McGehee, Arkansas. It started so lonely, not knowing anyone and Brian working such long hours. What I thought was the most terrible thing to happen to me, gave me one of the BEST people in my life! Here’s to waiting for the next Miles/Carleton vacation! Don't forget to click here to vote!
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