The Mechanic and I part 1.

I grew up in a small town. What does that mean? It means you know EVERYBODY…..and their cousins. You could never escape the reputation of your siblings, everyone thought they knew you and there were more than a few recycled prom dresses at prom.

In my small town in Montana my family found friendship in a very similar family. Both of our families had many kids, 6 or 7 each, we shared the same faith, possessed musical talents and enjoyed our natural surroundings. One of my good friends was the daughter in our “bestie” family. We were just one year apart and I dated more than one of her family friends.

I remember when we were little she would talk about her cousin; she said he was funny and would share many stories about him. That cousin would turn out to be my husband, “The Mechanic”.

When we were 14 “The Mechanic” came to town for a family celebration. He was asked to say the prayer at church and I remember thinking how cute he was with his arms folded awkwardly and his goofy Utah accent. (For those of you with friends or family originally from Utah, you know what I mean.) We didn’t meet each other officially and after the weekend was over, his family returned home.

About 6 months after the first “Mechanic” sighting, he moved to my small town. Again I remember thinking how cute he was, with his Girbeau jeans, surfer hair and tan skin. However, we never did date. My best friend and I did tend to watch out for “The Mechanic”. We were mean to the trollops that tried to date him and were relieved when his short relationships were over. (Of course he was unaware of our chivalry.) He never did date anyone seriously.

Our paths crossed (we were only in a high school of 500), we would say “Hi” but we never really talked or hung out. Somehow he ended up giving me snowboarding lessons, (not sure how that came about), and he ended up at a house party of mine. (He never drank and I had a friend that was a drunk that would pick on him, that friend was later kicked out of my party.) But again we never did date or spend time with each other. We did have a mutual friend that kept telling us we needed to date, but it never happened.

I lived my life in high speed. I was a cheerleader, fast pitch softball player, partier and obsessed with all things popular or social. He drove his mountain bike to work every day, rebuilt cars and was an avid snowboarder. He never seemed moved or obsessed with anything trendy. He was liked by everyone and was always the nice guy.

Years later I asked him who he had for Senior English, he said “Mrs. Steele. I sat right behind you.”

I was totally oblivious.

Halfway through my senior year I was burnt out trying to be everything to everyone. I had an older boyfriend out of state. I left my small town and I didn’t see “The Mechanic” for 3 ½ years.

Continue on with "The Mechanic and I Part 2"

Read More Marriage Posts

#marriage #family #love