Love at first sight

 My friend Brian, who got me into barbecue judging, has a big Holiday party every year where he cooks a whole hog. Since the hog has to cook for about 24 hours, they put it on to cook the night before.  This is called the “Pre-Party”!  It’s more informal (read redneck shenanigans!) than the main party   He always invited Bob and me to cook egg rolls for the Pre Party. 

In 2006, Bob had to be at an out of town wedding the weekend of the party so he asked me and my son Stephen to cook the egg rolls.  Stephen had helped us roll before and was almost as good as me!  Several members of Brian’s family were there.  His brothers, parents, and some cousins.  I noticed one cousin, Sara, who was a pretty brunette girl about Stephen’s age (early 20’s). A few minutes later, he noticed her!  And then she noticed him!  

Folks, I’ve heard of love at first sight all my life but that night I saw it!  There were almost literal sparks flying between those two!  She kept hanging around us while we cooked, fetching drinks, etc.  They made small talk while I was close by, but when we finished cooking, they found a secluded spot to get to know each other.  They were stuck together like glue!  Naturally they exchanged phone numbers and agreed to talk again after the holidays. Stephen was still in school while she had graduated and was working.

Shortly after the holidays they saw each other a few times.  When Stephen finished school that spring, they started dating seriously.  At Christmas, he gave her a ring and the following September, they were married.  And 10 months later, they gave me the most precious gift in the world, my first grandchild!  They recently celebrated their 15th anniversary!  

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