I was more excited to receive an assignment to Myrtle Beach Air Force Base South Carolina. As a single guy, this prospect was VERY appealing. However, my personnel office awarded me a special equipment identifier and then diverted me to Fort Campbell Kentucky. Yes, an ARMY base, with 25,000 army grunts (and I use this term affectionately) and less than 100 Air Force personnel. There is still a wall locker in a dorm in Germany with my fist imprint on it.
I traveled directly to my new duty station and checked in and got settled. While I was there I found the local meetinghouse and attended a baptism of a beautiful blonde and a father and son. I went home to New York for the holidays and returned. I was attracted to this pretty blonde, but she was already engaged to some army guy! I of course had other ideas and decided engaged is not married, so she was still available in my eyes. I began flirting with her, even in front of her supposed fiancée. Initially she hated me and was trying to be loyal to her fiancée. It didn't take too long and she broke up with him. I gave her two weeks to get over him and began courting her.
Only a few months later at a Relief Society Birthday party cook out, I decided to pop the question. There was a small stream with a little walking bridge over it and I thought it was a romantic place. I asked her, "what would you say if I asked to marry you?" She replied, "I don't know, you would have to ask me." So of course, I said, "Will you marry me?" She responded, "No!" I was crestfallen... I guess she saw the traumatized look on my face, she thought I was joking with her. She said, "ask me again." I relented and she finally said yes.
We didn't waste any time and were married just months later. Many people thought we were rushing into things and said our marriage wouldn't last two years. I changed jobs in the military and we moved to Colorado for a short time for training and then went to my dream assignment to Myrtle Beach South Carolina. Less than a year later we had our first child. Only a few short months later we were expecting our second child.
YOU ARE READING
My Israel
SpiritualI was moved to write this story in an effort to educate people about God, His laws and how it caused me to separate myself from a religion I practiced for nearly 40 years. I also hope to inspire others to gain an interest and perhaps, as I have obt...
