Meeting Jesse meant several fantastic and exciting changes for me. For one, I now had someone with which to share the joys of college football. At that time, she was my only friend with a TiVo or an iPod, so that was cool. The click wheel was so novel. I discovered a bunch of new music and I had the option of eating fresh, cooked food that did not have to be heated in a microwave. Also, I started turning left at the light at Park and Cherry. Before I met Jesse, a la Zoolander, I had only turned right (that was the direction of the Target). And, as if that wasn't enough, I now had a host of people who could barely contain their excitement and curiosity upon meeting me. For some reason, there were literally hundreds of people who became very interested in meeting me and finding out everything they could about me. Before, it was just me, Biff, and McFly, but now, it was odd people with names like Buster or Bubba or Gerald or Michael. If this eclectic group of people had one thing in common, it was that they all cared deeply for Jesse and wanted to make sure that she hadn't fallen in with the wrong type. If they had two things in common, it was that they all met at the same place to worship the Lord on Sundays.
Before I met Jesse, I had spent a couple of months at Sycamore View because I'd had some friends from undergrad who were there. In fact, when I first met Jesse, I stayed out there for awhile longer because I didn't want to leave one place and then show up a month later and have to explain my absence. It didn't take long for me to change my mind and head over to Highland for good. It took even less time for me to be welcomed without reservation into a very big family.
The first time I met Buster was at the old duplex on Ellsworth after a Wednesday night when I was still at SVCC. It was cold and I had a hoodie on. It was dark, but he introduced himself and we chatted shortly before he left (it was cold). Buster told Jesse and Brooke the next day that he thought I looked like Nathan Shank. I think he's changed his mind since then.
I also remember the first time I went to Intermission. I was in the lobby before we left on Saturday morning and some guy I had never seen before walked up to me and said, "Hey. You seen that new intern girl? (Kyla Kiser) She's pretty cute. You should go talk to her." I responded, "Yeah. I actually think that Jesse girl is cute. She's my girlfriend." Nice to meet you, Alan Moltz.
I'd met her once before, but that weekend was also the first time I'd see Leslie and Jonathan together. The first huddle I attended (with Jesse - apparently, it was bring your boyfriend to huddle day) was also the first time I met Sarah Bagley. I honestly don't remember the first time I met Gerald and Susie or Pam and Steve, but it wasn't long before the word got out that I was a keeper and I found myself spending Easter at the Guinn's or stopping by for a coke at the Jerkins. It should also be noted that on our honeymoon, Gerald (what's the most graceful word I can use)... Gerald gently hoisted Susie through the back window of our house so they could get in to feed Owens. That's what family does, I suppose.
I may not be able to come up with a more graceful word for "hoist," but certainly "family" fits and it's true to this day. Memphis wouldn't be home for us without family. And though it's expanding, I think it's safe to say that our Memphis family will always have strong Highland ties.
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