I'm (Still) the Lucky One

I’m the lucky one and I know it. Those two words, “lucky one,” date back to the beginning of my marriage. The funny thing is I didn’t think it was very funny when it first happened but the more time passes, the more I just smile and fully accept that I am indeed the lucky one. Here’s how the story goes.

Way back on August 9, 1986, Lori and I tied the knot at the Los Angeles temple. That evening, we attended a wedding reception in Lancaster. Lori’s family moved to southern California in the summer prior to her senior year of high school so I was solidly in her territory, more than 1,300 miles from my home back in the Midwest. At the reception, it seemed like just about everyone who came through the reception line said something like this: “Lori is such a sweetheart. You’re so lucky.” Or “We really love Lori. You’re so lucky.” Or “I hope you know the type of girl you’re marrying. You’re so lucky.”

I didn’t disagree with anyone. I knew Lori. I knew she was abundantly kind and sweet, and beautiful to boot. The thing is I couldn’t wait to get back to my hometown where she could get a dose how lucky she was to marry me.

Soon after driving back to Kansas for our second wedding reception, we arrived home to find out that my long-time softball team had a game. While I was in the dugout and in the field, I saw her in the stands getting to know my friends and their family members. At one point, I saw that she was sitting next to and talking with my best friend’s mother. I was thinking to myself, “Finally! This is it! Now she’s finally getting a little bit of ‘you’re so lucky’ to be marrying Mark.”

After the game, my best friend’s mom came up to me and said something like, “I had a really good chat with Lori. She seems like such a sweet girl. You’re so lucky.” Ugh!

Fast forward to more than three decades later and telling that story to others only brings a smile to my face. Why? Because I believe it! I know it! I’m the lucky one!

Lori & the lucky guy