Stetson Hat to City Cat Part 2



picture courtesy of Wikipedia

So the mysterious cowboy guy walks cross the dance floor. Totally true story here folks. He has deep blue eyes with a little fleck of brown on the right one. This smooth wrangler had a grin from ear to ear, as he strolled up and asked, "Would  you like to dance?" Did I mention how I got to this country bar? Well I should back up then and go over that. Let's back up a year and a half before this.

After graduation, my 2 year long relationship with B ended in much weeping and gnashing of teeth on my part. He was a preacher's kid that lived up to the stereo type. He spent most of his college years rebelling and working out the restraints of a conservative Baptist up-bringing. When we had begun dating my junior year in college, I was at an all time Christian high. I had been to the mountain away at Christian school and was so deeply in love with Christ. Enjoying and devouring every wonderful morsel Elisabeth Elliot served up in her book Passion and Purity. I constantly added  verses, poems, and prayers to my journal. I even made a Valentine's card that February giving my heart to God my Father. It seems like it is at these times that Satan lurks ready to get a foot hold.  Ignoring all the warnings from my sorority sisters about long haired B, I followed the plots of all the popular movies and opted for what I thought was an exciting "romance."  Some how God had a plan. "All things work for good for those that love the Lord." The "good" God had planned in this story of my redemption came after much heart ache and wrong choices.

Flash forward again to the weekend of my meeting God's Mr. Right for me. After 3 years of my own living in  rebellion to the Lord I had loved so much as a young woman, I was still trying to move on past B. I desperately needed to change my life. I had been looking for a husband by going to clubs with my friends. Clubs I would not have thought about stepping foot in 3 years before. I attended church but felt God was disappointed in His child. How would He ever trust me again.

2 of my OBU girlfriends invited me to meet them for homecoming in Shawnee. My one girlfriend had arranged some dates for all of us. After many homecoming events that day, including the big game--Go Bison!  Let 'er go KA RIP!!! The three of us dropped by one of the old gang's home. It was full of college students younger than us and alum that were glad to see old friends. Wassail was brewing in the kitchen and conversation was warm as the cup. Then all went cold as of course who should be there, but yes, B. After a very chilly hello it was time to get out of there, and how?

Where were these promised great dates? Let's get 'em and roll! I'll show B he is old news. What? They can't make it? My choice is back to the hotel and sleep. My gal pals talked me in to heading to a Norman hot spot anyway. About 20 minutes in I was ready to head back to the hotel. "Really, gals this has been nice and all, but lets make it a night." Then he arrived. Little did I know God would change my life through this cigarette smoking, Whiskey drinking, army vet, cowboy.

We danced through several dances. He would always ask me for another. Not sure of his motives I finally told him no thank you... no more and went back to my friends. My buddies were in shock. Who's the guy? Now I was really ready to call it a night. I lived in Fort Worth. That was 200 miles away. This man was a stranger. A cute stranger mind you. "Don't look now but here he comes." As I sat on the bar stool at our table he came over and asked if I would like to meet his friends. His friends? More cowfolk? Was he there with his ranch buddies? My friends might want to check this out but not me. I told my gal pals to please come search and rescue me in 10 minutes if I did not return. I reluctantly walked with him to meet "the friends." They were not at all what I expected. My guy was there with his married couple friends. They had asked him out to cheer him up. He too had recently experienced a major breakup. He left me there with Dee Dee while he and his buddy went to buy another round. I was given the ultimate honor of taking care of his hat. He even used words like "ma'am" and darlin'." That deep voice maybe I could get used to. His friend Dee Dee was so friendly. She looked like someone I would be close girl friends with. Dee Dee explained to me that this Cowboy, that I had just met, was really the sweetest man. The best guy. Listening, I set his hat on the table right side up. "Oh, he would not like you to set his hat down like that. You should know how to lay a hat. It sits like this." She picked it up and demonstrated the proper way to perch a hat so that it does not get misshapen. Who was she to tell me how to hold my man's hat? I knew then and there no one would ever take this guys hat away from me again.

More next time......... To be continued......

Ree said that she wrote her novel in hopes that those reading it might remember falling in love with there husbands once upon a time. That is my hope for you too as I reminisce here. :)

One of mine and Dave's songs from the old days. The pastor read some of the verses at our wedding ceremony.

Watch for the fireman in the crystal lake with some lady. What is with that in this video. Weird?!