Entry 1 Always pack your Merman

I could probably drive from St. Louis to Folly Beach blindfolded. I'm like the horse who knows my way back to the barn and my Eddie could make this statement too.

When I asked my niece and sister where they wanted to go on vacation seven years ago for Jul 4th weekend, they insisted Charleston, South Carolina. My immediate reaction was, "Why?" Well, now, almost seven years later, there are a million reasons why.

Unbeknownst to me, my Sister, an artsy Deadhead, had met Eddie, also a Deadhead and who by the way, had the town of Folly Beach proclaim Peace, Love and Kindness week for the week leading up to Jerry Garcia's birthday... back to the story, my sister met Eddie when they both gathered with mutual "hippie" friends amomgst thousands of other Grateful Dead fans approximately nine years ago in Chicago.

When these two finally had an in person conversation, I believe this is when my sis informed Eddie that she knew a cuter version of his "then girlfriend" he was with and instructed him to, "break up with the one you're with, be single for about a year and then, I'll introduce you to my sister."

That happened.

And, when I found myself in the back of my Honda CRV SUV headed to a beach I had never been to before nor heard anything about it before, my sister was at the wheel. Gleefully she drove across five states separating the 12 hour trek to Charleston into two days where I thought she was just happy to be on vacation. It didn't occur to me that she was up to something because I had no knowledge of that conversation she had had with Eddie Ellis two years prior.

It was not until we drove through Ashville, NC that my sister looked at me inquisitively through the rearview mirror as if the cat had eaten the mouse, and asked "You have no idea why we are going to Charleston, do you?" Well, I was clueless and she pressed on exclaiming, "You are about to meet the love of your life, Diney!"

My reaction, "I didn't pack for that!"

I didn't know that would become a theme in Eddie's and my long distance relationship. It was true, time and time again that idea of not being prepared or "packed" for what was to come resurfaced often but God made it so, that Eddie would become the only thing needed in "my suitcase" for whatever the future holds!

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Entry 2 Get in this ocean!

After arriving on Folly Beach, Charleston's barrier island, my nerves had gotten the best of me when Eddie joined us for tacos on Center Street. Not just any tacos but tacos from one of the island's most popular restaurants Taco Boy: one of twenty six locally owned bars and restaurants on Folly. Don't let this little town fool you, I've learned that there might only be one stoplight but a million tourists a year descend upon this community and that evening, I was one in a million! Ha!

Throughout that dinner, I kept thinking, what if I talk to him and like him? Then I thought...But, I live five states away?

I was puzzled so I just let me sister sit next to him and do all the talking. I didn't talk at all.

Now, for those reading this, your mouth has got to be wide open in shock. Those who know me, know that conversation is something I could medal in if it was an olympic sport. Pick up your jaw off the floor and just know that I continued to be silent while I enjoyed delicious tacos and my sis made plans for all of us to go to the beach the next day.

I about choked on my taco thinking to myself; now, I have to wear a swimsuit! Then it occurred to me that we allll were going to be in swimsuits. So I figured that's fair, game on.

Next day, mid- afternoon at the beach, I was nestled into a good read when my sister and niece yelled for me to get up and join them in the ocean, "Diney get in here with us. C'mon you didn't come to the beach to read!"

No, I didn't but I figured that as long as I didn't talk to this man, I wouldn't develop any kind of attachment. After all, my sister said, without flinching, that I was going to meet the love of my life. This was a bit daunting to me but they kept calling me to the ocean... actually screaming..."Get in, get in!"

I gave in to their relentless pleas, got in the ocean and swam over to them. You gotta understand, at that point Eddie's landscaping business had him looking cut and bronzed with his gorgeous gray, wavy hair sparkling in the sunlight so I took a deep breath to overcome my anxiety and proceeded to listen to him tell me what he had just told my sis and niece.

My niece said, "Diney, listen to Eddie. you're not gonna believe this."

Eddie shared the his Mom was a trained opera singer, went to Julliard and performed at Carnegie Hall. She was a music teacher and had a choir that performed all over ...and with that, I swam away. My niece immediately grabbed my leg and pulled me back demanding, "Where do you think you are going? What do you think you are doing? Tell Eddie about you!"

Again, I took a moment to calm my nerves and compose myself (self conciously weird that I was so nervous) and explained that I too studied opera in college, was a former music teacher and never performed as a soloist at Carnegie Hall but sang there three times where twice was with the St. Louis Symphony Orch...and before I could finish my sentence, this southern merman, wrapped his arms around me and whispered in my ear oh so sweetly with a sigh of relief. "My Momma brought you to me."

It was at that moment that I thought my sister may be correct! My heart melted, my guard came down as I agreed that Yes, he just might be the love of my life.

More entries to come,

Diney