I was walking through WalMart, picking up carrots, baby spinach, and a few Gala apples when I noticed a man standing in front of my basket. I tried to move around him, but he moved in close.
“Excuse me?” he said. “Are you single?”
If a meteor had landed among the beets and peaches, I wouldn’t have been more surprised.
“Excuse me,” I said. I wondered if I had misheard. Perhaps he was looking for Kraft Sliced singles.
He said it again. “I wondered if you were single.”
“I’m not.” I hesitated. “Um, thank you.”
He looked pointedly at my hand.
An pale indention circled my ring finger. I had taken my ring off because I was mowing and my hands AND ring needed some extra care. I could envision the ring sitting on my living room coffee table where I had left it.
So, what do you do when you get hit on for the first time in about 50 years? (I’m only 47; it’s been a really long time.)
You call your husband, of course!
I made the phone call as I cruised down the bread and peanut butter aisle, tossing All Natural Smuckers Peanut Butter in my cart.
“Honey, you gotta hear this. Guess what just happened in the produce section?”
“They have a good buy on apples?” Richard asked innocently. (We love Gala apples. . . w/peanut butter. Mmmm. But I digress.)
“Nope. A guy asked me if I was single. Can you believe it?” I giggled like a school girl.
“Really? What did you say?”
“That I’m happily married to the most amazing guy on earth,” I replied.
And then because I’m not supposed to lie, I said, “Not really. I was so shocked I said thank you.”
“Thank you? Like thank you for trying to steal my wife?”
I laughed out loud. “No, silly. No. Just thank you. Like, thank you for the compliment, now let me move on so I can buy some blue corn tortillas and salsa.”
When I arrived home I put the groceries in the cabinets, and then I walked over and slipped on my wedding ring.
It’s old fashioned. Gold, while I love silver. But I treasure it because it was bought in 1979 by a hot young guy with dark curls, dark skin, and whose first kiss took my breath away. A boy I loved with all my heart.
Now a man who has lost most of that beautiful dark brown hair, but who’s still smoking hot to me.
And a man who I still have so much fun with that I can call and have a good laugh–even if it’s over a rare encounter in the produce section.
PS: Hey friends, my radio interview with wonderful Erin Campbell, host of Water Through the Word will air today on radio station WCVX 1050AM at 5:00pm and 7:30pm.
Erin and I talk about The Mom I Want to Be: Rising Above Your Past to Give Your Kids a Great Future (one of my books). We talk about issues such as learning from the past, moving on, letting go, forgiving, breaking down walls, discovering wholeness and assuming a new identity as a woman and believer and parent, and much more. I hope you join us!
If you are outside the listening area tune into the broadcast LIVE, anywhere in the world, by logging onto http://www.WCVX.com during the above broadcast dates and times.
for Allison’s second novel. Pick up your copy of ONE LITTLE SECRET now
available online or at bookstores everywhere. Check out over forty (40!)
dynamic blog sites where Allison will be “speaking” in August and feel free
to comment on the Blog Tour Post-of-the-Day:
http://www.allisonbottke.com/mr_blogtours.htm
16 Comments
Loved this post–you crack me up! I actually made my grocery list off yours–thanks! The visual tour helped too (loved that unexpected rendezvous in the aisle?!?). When that happens to me, I’m always looking over my shoulder trying to figure out who they’re really talking to! I’ll be listening…Erin Campbell (she’s amazing…a newbie who has made a HUGE splash!).
P.S. Keep the ring on!
This story drew me right in. I love it that you thanked him for the compliment and moved right on to your husband!
This is great! Funny how when you have the real thing, fake is not so tempting! Thanks for sharing.
One of the most avid readers of BBR is Richard. He loves it when I tell the world that he’s smokin’ hot (don’t you, R?). : )
I love hanging out with you BB’s.
Suzie
Adorable story. It is a bit of a rush when you get attention (let’s say after 40).
Dana
http://www.passionateforlife.com
Hey Dana, It’s so good to see you. I love your site.
Hey Suzie!
Come write for us! Connie and I were just talking about you on the phone, were your ears buzzing?
All good, I assure you!
Oh, I have a great big opportunity for you… send me an email so I can tell you about it, ok?
Dana
Great story, Suz. You are obviously one hot boomer babe. This has never happened to me–I’d like to blame it on the fact I pretty much wear my ring 24/7 and often have my kids in tow! But it’s probably the wrinkles and my previously-discussed-on-this-blog midlife mid-section! I get all happy if I get carded when buying a bottle of wine at the grocery store (since it means they think i’m under 30, which I’m not!).
Your comment about Dana’s site has me curious, I’m off to check it out!
Not a hot boomer babe. : ) Although it’s about 105 degrees here in Oklahoma this week, so maybe I do qualify. We’ve had a mild summer until these past ten days. It’s supposed to cool off starting tomorrow. I’m ready! Tomorrow I get to spend the day with my sister and her family. My beautiful niece just got engaged and we are celebrating. My sis has a pool, which I openly envy, and I can’t wait to feel that cool wet water.
These days it doesn’t seem to matter to many folks whether or not you’re wearing a wedding ring…so sad is the state of affairs regarding marriage. It’s a joy to hear how in love you are with your “smokin hot boomer dude!” You go girl! My hubby is “deep in the heart of Texas” right now and I’m missin’ him! Thanks for sharing this precious story.
Miss Allison, you’ll only be one state away and my daughter lives in Dallas, so maybe we’ll see each other more. Hmm. ?? I would love that. In fact, did you know there is a HUGE flea market with all kinds of treasures, like vintage jewelry and other collectables and antiques, in Canton? It’s held once a month. I’m thinking that would make a wonderful girlfriend trip.
I love this story and I love the fact the YOU obivously are very much in love with hubby. He’s adorable!
Now, excuse me, I’m going to hang out in the produce section.
Hey Suzie!
I’m single. Which Wal-Mart was that?
Maybe I should start loitering in the produce section. LOL!
Great story!
Karen and QJJ, you made me laugh out loud. : ) How fun you are! It’s the WalMart in Muskogee, OK (yes, I am an Okie from Muskogee) and I’ll be waiting by the Gala apples to say hello.
Suzie, your post brought am immediate smile to my face. I love hearing about couples who are still in love after all these years. All I can think is that the young people you mentor have such a good role model for healthy marriages. You go girl.