Holding On To The Memory

Courting in 1974

My husband-to-be and I met midway through college. That man set his sights on me and pursued me for weeks and weeks following a band tour, but could never find me in my dorm room. I was off chasing down a couple of other guys from the band who I'd set my sights on prior to that tour. But they ended up not being as enamored with me as this guy who persisted until I finally gave him a chance. And boy, am I glad I did. We always loved this photo, taken by a friend of ours who was taking a photography class so always had her camera nearby. She printed an enlargement and had it framed to give to us, the joke being poor Allen, she's not going to let him get away when in truth, it had started the other way around.

Hard to believe he's been gone twenty years now, and while some memories may have faded, I have to believe the most important ones have not. I cherish this anniversary of the day he went to a greater reward, a day to pause and pull up as many of those memories as I can, to smile, to enjoy thoughts of the many things we did together, shared, and how much we meant to each other. Truth be told, I'm a little glad he is not having to live through this current health crisis, the lockdowns, the stay at home orders, the possible uncertainty of continuing to make a living, the risks of being in a certain group more apt to be infected. As someone who had a hard time sitting still, who always had to be doing something, and who often pushed against limitations, he'd no doubt be going a little crazy, and driving me a little crazy too! But I'd probably take that craziness to be able to go through this tough time with him for company and support. But for now, memory will suffice.