How I Met Mr. Wonderful

      My husband and I have been married for 25+ years.  More than a quarter of a century of wedded bliss.  Well, YOU know how it goes.  Anyway, here’s my story:

      A little background:  I was a registered nurse a couple years into my career working on a medical/surgical floor at my local hospital.  I was not “looking” for anyone and was not a party-all-night kind of girl.  More like young, naïve, a bit shy, and probably boring.  I liked to read.  Ha.  I had had a couple relationships in the past but nothing serious or at least they shouldn’t have been.  At this point in my life, having passed the dreaded state board exam (on the first attempt, mind you) I still had a lot to learn and I wanted to be the best nurse I could be.  I had (still do have) a large, strong family (I am the eldest of six, 5 girls and 1 boy) and a few good friends.  I was in my mid-twenties and living on my own making a very nice income.  I thought I was fine.  I would find Mr. Right when the time came.  I wasn’t worried.

      On this particular night in early January 1979, I was working the 3-11pm shift and I had “floated” to work on another floor as they needed another nurse. It was my turn to go.  After my shift was over I went back to my floor where my co-workers told me I was to go to the kitchen to talk to my Friend, (who was the assistant head nurse-that’s what that position was called in those days).  Okay, no big deal, so down the hall I went.  Well…. when I entered the little, tiny kitchen Friend was happily talking to two-not one, but TWO-very handsome, scrumptious-looking California Highway Patrol officers, in full uniform and looking so good!….mmm mmm! I tell ya, I am such a sucker for a man in uniform.  I stammered through our introductions thinking, “How do I get out of here!” when my friend said to Steve, (one of the officers), “Let’s leave so these two can talk,” and out she walked with Steve in tow.  Heaven help me!  That tiny kitchen managed to get even smaller.

      Let me just say here that Friend had a lot of CHP friends as she used to be married to one…but that is another story.

      Richard (that was his name) and I just looked at each other.  I know I was beet red and sweaty with embarrassment.  I muttered, “I’m gonna kill her!”  He said, “Yeah.”   Uncomfortable pause… silence.  Ugh!   He said, “Was this a set up?”  Oh my gosh, what was I supposed to say?!?!  I looked into those clear don't-miss-a-thing, hazel colored eyes and that strong, serious, excuse-me-ma’am-the-reason-I-pulled-you-over face, stammered some more and said, “I don’t know…uh, “they” said Friend wanted me in the kitchen. I didn’t know about this.”  Oh, I just wanted to disappear somehow!  I’m not afraid to meet people but this was just not a good time, too uncomfortable.  And as I later learned, Richard does not do well in this type of situation either.  

      Okay, well, we were finished with whatever that was (an introduction?!) and out of that kitchen we walked never to see each other again and that would be too soon for me.  That’s what I was feeling at the time.  We met, that was it!

To be continued…..maybe...