I got out of the service in 1967 and got married in 1968.

I met my wife through some friends of mine. They were close family friends. As a remote matter of fact He was my Boy Scout leader. I was about sixteen or seventeen when I met him and I grew up with his family.

Well, my wife was babysitting their kids one night. The kids were horsing around.

My wife-to-be stuck her tongue out at me! I looked at her and said: “you know, that can get you in trouble!”

I asked her  if she knew what that meant and she said no.

I told her that it meant: “kiss me quick and don’t slobber.”

The kids got together and said: “we double-dare you!”

I kissed her and that’s how I met my wife. It worked because we’ve been married now for more than 39 years. Actually, it will be 40 years this year. Her name is Lela.

I never realized it until after we got married, but for all the special events and my wife’s life, I was there!

She didn’t know it and I didn’t know it.

One of those kids who I said was close to the family… well the older boy older boy was on the police force here in Findlay. His dad graduated the same year my wife did. I went to his graduation, but actually I went to my wife’s graduation. She never knew it.

He was real close to her dad, so when her dad passed away I went to the funeral with him. I walked out the door right behind my wife, but at that time she didn’t know I existed!

So I was to her graduation, I was to her dad’s funeral and there were a few other events that are special in your life, and I was there. And I never realized it until after we got married!

We were destined to meet!