By Mary Hill
Of all the NaBloPoMo prompts this month, this one is the easiest for me. I recall very vividly the night I took a major risk that paid off. It was back on July 28, 2001. I had just gone through a major upheaval in my life with the loss of a 12 year marriage. My friends had gathered around in support and took me out to a local hangout in Liberty, SC known as the Liberty Rose. It was a family country line dance place. Reeling from loss and pain, I never dreamed that what would transpire that night that would change my life forever.
It was a challenge and dare really from one of my girl friends, Linda King. I had no intention of meeting anyone or getting involved with anyone new. I had promised myself down time before starting a new relationship; so, when I looked across the room to the front door and was watching the people coming in, I said kidding. “Look at that guy. Isn’t he gorgeous.” The guy in question was tall, had blond hair, a muscular build, and chisel jaw. I was instantly attracted.
When my friend said, “Go ask him to dance.” I immediately said, “No way. I am not ready for that now. I just came to hang out with you guys.”
“Oh come on, have some fun. If you don’t ask him to dance, I will go over there and ask him for you.”
“You better not!” I huffed. “Stop it.”
“I mean it, Mary.” She got up from her chair headed toward the front.
“Don’t you dare,” I grabbed her hand and pulled her back to the table.
“I am going to give you til the count of 10 to get your but over there and ask him, or I will do it for you … very loudly.” She said with a mischievous smile.
I got up and headed to the front door. She was serious. I thought as I mustered up courage: “At least, I can do it real quiet like, and when he says no, I can just slink back to my seat and no one would see or know.” He was at the concession stand when I tapped him on the shoulder.
“Hi,” I said. “Would you dance with me. I don’t normally do this kind of thing, but my friend over there, said if I didn’t ask you, she was going to ask for me and create a scene.”
He grinned and shook his head, yes, “I will come get you for the next slow dance.”
The slow dance came around. I can’t even remember the song now because I was so nervous. He came over and said in front of everyone, “Would you like to dance.” He was so sweet. He wanted everyone to think he was asking me.
I shook my head yes and took his hand as he lead me out on the dance floor. I asked him his name. “Ricky Hill.” He said. “I am from Abbeville.”
“Where is Abbeville?” I asked.
“About 60 miles away.” he answered.
“Wow, that is a long drive.” Then I asked him, “Do you like dogs?” I know corny right. He answered, “I love animals, especially dogs.”
The next questions were even stupidier. “Where did you go to college? What do you do?”
“I didn’t go to college. I am working on getting my GED.” he said.
Nervously, I stepped into it even deeper. “I know.”
He laughed. “I guess it shows, huh.”
“No, no. I mean… Well, oh, are you married? I mean … man.”
“Divorced now for about a year. What about you?’ He asked.
“My divorce was finalized a month ago. Long story, but I am moving on.”
The music was coming to an end. He looked at me and did a half bow, “Thank you, for the dance.” I was touched with the old fashioned way he acted toward me.
“You want to sit with me. I mean you can meet my friends.” I stuttered nervously.
“Sure.” he said. He was quiet but polite when I introduced him. We danced a few more slow dances and he had to go, but he wanted my number and said he would be back in two weeks. He took out a wallet and showed me pictures. “These are my girls. This is Megan, she is six. Stephanie is nine. I see them every other week and next week I have them.”
“Oh, okay. That sounds great. Call me sometime this week, and we can talk more. I really enjoyed meeting you.”
He said, “Thanks for dancing and talking with me.” He nodded and walked off. He called several times that week. I learned a lot about him. He worked at a manufacturing shop in Abbeville where they make fire place inserts. He had a son who lived with him in a house they were renting on Perry Street. He also said he couldn’t wait to see me again the next weekend.
He, however, came that very next Saturday instead of waiting the full two weeks. He had changed weekends with his exwife. We danced, talked, and took a walk down Liberty’s Main Street. He asked me out on our first date that night for the next Friday night. He needed my address to come get me. I told him I would mail him a computer map to my mom’s house where I was staying.
For our first date, he was two hours late. He had gotten lost. He was so upset and sorry that the next night he showed up and surprised me. “Can I redeem myself?” He asked as I opened the front door.
What followed after that was a whirlwind engagement and long distance relationship. We were engaged by October, and I had a ring by February. We had our first fight a few nights later. He was supposed to call me, but he called really late, apologizing that he got held up. I was mad and said, “You owe me a rose, bud.”
Well, he sent roses and gave me another type of “rosebud.” We were supposed to get married on June 15, 2002, but we found out I was pregnant with my daughter the first Saturday in March. We bumped the wedding up to April 19, 2002. Katherine Rose was born on October 28, 2002. We call her “Katie Rose.” We named her Katherine Rose to remember where we met and also because I had said, “You owe me a rose, bud.”
We celebrate almost 12 years together and our 11th anniversary this April. Taking a dare and a risk to ask a total stranger to dance, really did pay off for me. I found a new hometown, a new husband, and had my only child, Katie Rose who is now 10. Sometimes when you take a risk, you can get back more than you ever dreamed of in return.
Delightful uplifting post, it sounds like it was meant to be, just as well your friend encouraged you to take that risk.
What a great story! It made me smile the whole way through – thank you for sharing 🙂
I’m so glad that you were brought to where you were supposed that night, isn’t it funny how fate collides with us at totally random times?
Carrie, Can’t wait to read. It thinks for commenting.
Nice post! My risk post for tomorrow is also about an engagement. 🙂
Thankss Talya. 🙂
Awwwww so sweet. Gave me chills. Happy for you:))
Thanks Kelly. Glad you enjoyed reading it. 🙂
Very Good! I enjoyed reading this. I met my second husband the same way and it’s been a beautiful relationship.
Love,
Kelly Fuller (kiki)