Fran

Having just lost a special man in my life to heart disease, I did not think I would find any one else to share my life. After his death I would tell my Mom, "it was not supposed to be like this!" The loneliness and heart ache started to ease. With the help of my new adopted kittens (to combat being alone) Abby and Teddy, we settled into a daily routine. Work,eat, play, sleep. I work midnights to eight thirty a.m. in a local grocery chain store in the bakery dept. In the early part of October of '07, Mike came to work at the store. I must have made an impression on him, because when I went out for some surgery that left me off work for 8 weeks, he missed me! Mike was assigned the baby food aisle one morning. Now I am not saying that he is a clutz or anything but, I did tease him lot for having to chase after baby food jars as he dropped them and they rolled down the aisle. He took it well, and when his shift was over he came over to me to tell me that, "The entertainment for the day is leaving!" I think that was the last time I saw him before my operation. When I returned to work just before Christmas 2007, he was now assigned to frozen foods, which is directly in front of my dept. We had a lot of interaction. I would sometimes require help in retrieving heavy items or having to have pallets moved. By Valentines day we were friends. Through varied conversations I learned he was living alone too. I asked him to dinner one night and he accepted. We talked for almost 7 hours! The rest as they say is HISTORY! PS. Isn't it amazing what you can pick up in the frozen food aisle!? Mike's turn, After a thirty year marriage that had failed, I needed a fresh start. I left my job of 12 years driving an eighteen wheeler. I went back to house painting ( interiors mostly) which I enjoy. Needing health care I went to work at a local grocery food store. I can get full coverage for only working a minimum of 16 hours a week after one year of continued service. I go to work early in the mornings with a 4-8 a.m. shift, which allows me to still paint homes during the day. About one week into my stocking position, I was assigned to the baby food aisle. Fumbling with the small jars, led me to hear some joking remarks from the woman working in the bakery dept. So, at the end of my shift I walked over and said something like, " I hope you enjoyed the show, however the entertainment is now leaving!" She flashed me her smile, the image is forever burned into my mind. It was the most awesome smile I had ever seen! In the following weeks I was reassigned to the dairy/frozen dept. Located directly in full view of the bakery dept. Several weeks went by and I became a little perplexed, Seeing different gals working the bakery, but none had that smile I was looking for. I didn't know how to obtain info about her.We never did exchange names (Fran doesn't where a tag) and being new I didn't know who to ask. Eventually my thoughts turned to, " Are you crazy? You're a loser. You couldn't make your marriage work, why would you want to get involved with someone else?" Then one night while in the back room breaking down a frozen load, the double doors swung open and from behind the bakery cart came THE SMILE! We said hello, exchanged names and I was filled in on the reason for her absence. I observed over time not only a great sense of humor, but Fran is a really good worker, qualities I really admire. Respect and friendship seemed to form with ease. One day she asked me over for dinner, I accepted. Still very reluctant to have a relationship with someone, I figured that at least we can be friends. Dinner was wonderful and the conversation lasted deep into the night.We spoke of recent disappointing events that had taken place in our lives. The death of her soul mate and my separation from my wife. We both knew we had long roads ahead of us. However, the relationship between us quickly grew more serious. In the ensuing months some events happened that had us convinced that God had his hand in our new found love. Thoroughly convinced we were destined to be together, grateful for a second chance and riveted in love. We decided to join ourselves in the bonds of marriage. It is hard to believe how young we feel! Planning our day, we joyfully anticipate the arrival of May 1st 2010. Our first day for the rest of our journey together here on earth as man and wife. PS. Her brothers have promised me a goat and 2 chickens as her dowry!