RikkiDea

Rikki and I met four years ago in October. She saw my profile somewhere online and decided to email me. We both had a lot going on and were only looking for a friend at the time. So we talked on the phone and emailed each other for several weeks then one evening I called her and asked if she would like to meet for dinner. It was late for dinner, and she had already eaten, but she was agreeable and we decided to meet at an Applebee’s near where she lived. Most of you remember my last truck. It was just as big as the one I’ve got now but all black like a giant all terrain stealth bomber. So I don’t know how, but she managed to drive through the parking lot and not see me. She didn’t have a cell phone at the time so she went back home and called me. I described where I was parked and she was sweet enough to not only come back, but she brought me some cookies too. We went out a few more times and of course talked on the phone and then Thanksgiving rolled around. Both her kids and mine were with their other parent for the holiday and our families were out of town. So we were home alone and only half joking I asked if she wanted to go out on the lake with the SeaDoos. Surprisingly she agreed and we had a great time even though it was only about 45 degrees and we froze our tails off. We were still wet, but hungry so we had our first thanksgiving dinner together at Whataburger. I think it was then that I decided this girl was somebody I could get used to. One of the things she always talked about was her Granddad up in Oklahoma, Bill Alexander who she called paw paw Bill. He had been the Sherriff in their town and as she put it, her rock growing up. So I was glad when she invited me up to their family Christmas but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous. It turned out to be a lot of fun and I couldn’t have asked for a more warm and welcoming family Her Granddad seemed to be every bit the great man she had described him to be. He was tall, and had a presence about him that is hard to describe. When he spoke, you wanted to listen, and you could tell he loved his family very much because he showed it. I remember calling my mom while we were up there on a later trip and telling her about how impressed I was with him. Unfortunately, he has already passed away so he couldn't be with us tonight but in the short time I knew him he left an impression on me. He also gave Rikki his approval of me which meant a lot to her, and also meant a lot to me.   Both of my Grandmothers have also moved on. I was lucky enough to visit with my Dad’s mother in the last few weeks she was with us. I told her that I loved her, and about all of the current events which of course included Rikki. She asked me a few questions about Rikki, one of which was "Does she go to church?" I said yes, and she said "Good". I think that was all she needed to know. ~ Brad A. DeWees