Monday Memories.........

The boy I fell in love with in 1971...

I've been thinking a lot lately about the boy I fell in love with in 1971. We went to high school together, he was a year older than me from Eden. I was too caught up in high school life and pining for a boy from St. Josephs to really notice him back then. That was 1967-68. My friend Dixie was best friends with his best friend and cousin Brent Hogge. Doug went on his mission to Brazil [south], and then a year later Brent got a mission call to Brazil [north]. Doug came home from his mission and Dixie invited me up to a fireside at his house where he showed slides of his mission. I should have known then what I found out later about his "love" for leather. I heard that night how he got off the air plane to greet his family in leather pants and jacket handmade by a Brazilian craftsman. [Not your typical missionary homecoming attire].

The fireside was the first time I really met him. I was immediately drawn to him. He was tall, handsome, and had really broad shoulders. I really liked his look and I wanted to date him. Dixie put in the plug with a disclaimer. Something like "OK, I'll line you up, but I am not responsible for what happens after this".

Our first date was at Dixon Pies when it was up on Harrison Blvd. That was in February of 1971. From that time on we were inseparable. I worked at Kentucky Fried chicken [Harmon's on 14th street] and he worked at "Taco Time" [Washington Blvd next to McDonald's]. It was love at first bite....so to say. We spent every possible minute together. We were both going to Weber State at the time. I was in the Radiology program and he was just getting back into the groove. He drove a red Volkswagen bug. We were engaged in May. Doug drove me up on Avon divide half way between Eden and Paradise and asked me to marry him. I said yes, and we began to make plans. To save some money, Doug left to go work down by Las Vegas as a seasonal employee in the Toibe National Forest. That is where this picture was taken. I loved his long sideburns and long hair and free spirit, and laid back personality. I missed him terribly and wrote him every day. I hope my kids never get their hands on any of those "love letters", it might be embarrassing. But love him I did. He came home, we got married, and the rest they say is history. We have been married 37 years give or take 5 years. The boy I married is now the man I love. He is seasoned, has wrinkles that give him character, he is a hard worker and has always been. I love his hands. They are the hands of a man who is skilled at fixing anything and everything. Why pay someone to fix something you can fix yourself. The reasons I love him now, are different than the reasons I loved him then. He is an amazing man. He is a forgiving, trustworthy, a little quirky at times, has a great laugh and smile, is loved by his grand kids [seriously they fight over him], and is a great father. But the reason I love him most is because through everything, he loves me....we grew up together and now we are growing old together. Just like our wedding bands say " A minha p'ra Sempre". Thanks Doug for all the wonderful memories and for letting me back into your life.......mammer