I’m on I-65, just outside Birmingham. I’m in the passenger seat, writing. My wife is driving.
It’s early. The sun is still low. In the last three days, we’ve been in four different cities. We just ate breakfast at Cracker Barrel.
Now, more driving.
I remember the day we married. I was standing in the groom’s dressing room. I wasn’t nervous until I unzipped the tuxedo bag.
Then, my body got cold. My forehead developed a thin film of sweat.
There was a knock on my door. It was my future father-in-law.
“I’m here to tie your bowtie,” he said.
I stood before this man, rocking on my heels while he secured my neckwear.
Then, he slapped my shoulder and said, “Couldn’t ask for a better looking son, if I do say so myself.”
Son.
The preacher arrived. He straightened my collar and whispered: “I have to say this to every groom: it’s not too late to change your mind if you’re not sure…”
I told him he was wasting his time. Granted, I might not have been a smart man, but I’d never been more sure of anything.
“Alright,” he said. “Let’s go make history.”
And we did. I stood in a small chapel. Half of Brewton, Alabama, had driven an hour and forty minutes to watch the schmuck in a monkey suit marry one of their town’s fair daughters.
My family was represented by three. My mama, my sister, and my uncle. Mama’s mascara was running. My sister was in a dress.
The doors swung open. A woman walked the aisle.
I would tell you that she was beautiful, or that she took my breath away, but that would be selling her short. She was more than that.
She was everything.
She wore her trademark smile. The same smile she wears today. When she grins, her right eye closes more than her left. Her whole face seems to say:
“Hi, nice to meet you. I am a stick of military grade dynamite, capable of ripping mountainsides in half. What’s your name?”
The preacher opened his book. “Who gives this stick of dynamite away?” I could swear I heard him say.
Anyway, you know the rest. We made vows. We kissed. Cue the music. I was too happy to cry or breathe.
People applauded. There were a few “Roll Tide” cheers from the congregation of God’s sanctified saints.
And that’s how it happened. That’s how a kid with a sad life and a shattered family inherited a second chance.
And that’s why I’m here. That’s why I write. Because a woman I trust very much once told me I had it in me.
The same woman who tutored me through college. Who lived in my twenty-eight-foot trailer. Who edited my first book. And my second.
The same woman I once dropped off at UAB Hospital while I held vigil in the waiting room. The woman who squeezed my hand when they buried her father. Who cried for him one year thereafter.
I wish you could see her. She’s yawning. Hands on the wheel. She looks at me and grins.
I-65 is quiet this morning. Not many cars. My fingers are tapping on this keyboard. She has no idea what I’m writing about. Sometimes, I wonder if she knows how much she means to me.
So I’ll just say it:
You are everything to me, Jamie.
Everything.
38 comments
Pamela McEachern - February 5, 2018 7:46 am
That was beautiful and I am so happy for you both. ?
Peace and Love from Birmingham
Sandi in FL - February 5, 2018 8:17 am
Sometimes, in two seemingly ordinary lives, God hands you a true love story. Yours and Jamie’s is definitely one of them. Abundant blessings to both of y’all.
Susan Hammett Poole - February 5, 2018 10:17 am
You’ve written the most beautiful Love Letter that
a lady would ever wish to receive?? ? ? …sigh….
Shirley Northington (Skelton) - February 5, 2018 10:40 am
I sure hope I get to meet the two of you someday. Thannk you.
Steven P Bailey - February 5, 2018 10:47 am
Beautiful.
Judy Ennis - February 5, 2018 11:56 am
So sweet….I know one of those 4 cities was Decatur,Where I had the pleasure of meeting and greeting you and Jamie. such a delightful evening to sit back and listen to you tell your story. So happy to” make your acquaintance” and will continue to make you a part of my daily devotional. may God Bless you Both……
Kathy Grey - February 5, 2018 12:01 pm
You are the best thing about my mornings. Thank you.
Cathi - February 5, 2018 12:11 pm
Sean, this is my dog’s 17th birthday and I was already weepy about this precious creature who’s made my days both funnier and harder. And then you one-up me with Jamie. You are a prince, my friend!
revbigbaldguy - February 5, 2018 12:46 pm
That’s the good stuff of life right there, my friend. Just let her keep driving and you keep tapping that keyboard.
janiesjottings - February 5, 2018 1:00 pm
Beautiful, just beautiful!
Trina V. - February 5, 2018 1:03 pm
I have no doubt Jamie knows!
My mom (Marty from AL) and I met you and Jamie Friday night in Decatur. That was the highlight of my mom’s week! (It was super high on my list of awesome experiences as well!)
Dianne - February 5, 2018 1:21 pm
So sweet, and I’m sure Jamie knows what she means to you!
Sandra Smith - February 5, 2018 1:43 pm
This one made my nose burn & opened the dam !
❤❤❤
(One for you, two for Jamie) ?
theholtgirls - February 5, 2018 2:13 pm
Love is such a wonderful thing! That you love Jamie is one thing. That you shared this peek with us is quite another! Thank you, both, for believing in each other.
Connie - February 5, 2018 2:26 pm
I want to be loved just like that. Your love for your wife gives me hope for humanity.
Deborah Claypool - February 5, 2018 2:38 pm
Sweet and lovely
Lisa Snuggs - February 5, 2018 3:03 pm
I fully expected good things from you because of the friend who recommended I join your flock, but I didn’t expect your words to bring me happy tears within the first week. Jamie must be a force. Blessings to both of you.
Marilyn - February 5, 2018 3:19 pm
Three of my best friends and I attended your performance in Decatur on Friday night which was great. Beforehand I had the pleasure of meeting Jamie while selecting a couple of your books. Those few minutes of conversation was as though I were talking to a best friend. I easily could have ditched your performance, pulled up a chair and kept Jamie company. You are truly blessed my friend! Oh, a word of advice……look for the “meat and three’s!” They’re Jamies’ favorite!!
Marty from Alabama - February 5, 2018 3:31 pm
After getting to meet her in Decatur a few days ago, I have to agree with you. She is a jewel and so easy to talk with. You two are a perfect match. Am looking forward to the next time to hear you speak and be able to buy a book from Jamie.
Debra - February 5, 2018 3:55 pm
You’re a blessed man and you’re a smart man for knowing it. Blessings to you and Jamie ❤️
Sari Buchanan - February 5, 2018 4:02 pm
Met your wife Friday night and she does have a killer smile!!! She completes you and you complete her…..Congratulations on finding your soul mate!!!!
BTW, thank you for making our Gracie (12 year old granddaughter) feel like a million bucks Friday night. She loved her evening with Sean of the South!!! And so did I!!!
Jack Quanstrum - February 5, 2018 5:51 pm
Wonderfully Beautiful story!
Jane Vaught - February 5, 2018 8:39 pm
Oh my! I have totally enjoyed your writings since “finding you” a couple of weeks ago. This is splendid..love at its best. Thank you for sharing your ♥️
Judy - February 5, 2018 9:21 pm
Ah!… to be so adored! I hope she knows in her heart of hearts how special that is.
Barbara Schweck - February 5, 2018 9:58 pm
Lucky lady, that Jamie!! You too are so blessed!!! It is so wonderful to have a love, life time companion who supports you and loves you warts and all. I know, I have one of those kinds of relationships with my husband of 41 years. I still thank God each and every day that we were brought together by His Grace.
Phyllis Hamilton - February 5, 2018 10:49 pm
What a wonderful world it would be if all married couples felt that way. You have been blessed!
Deborah S Reece - February 6, 2018 12:32 am
That is why the romance writing business is a booming business, everyone wants the happily ever after you have! Jamie is blessed and so are you.
Don’t you just love Cracker Barrel? My husband takes me there when we travel. We get to eat and 10 minutes of shopping satisfies me. He’s the one driving and I’m the one writing. We also do some of our best “solving the world’s problems” on those long drives.
May you have many more years together! Always enjoy your writings.
Stephen Recchia - February 6, 2018 12:53 am
Every man should have that experience about his partner. Fulfilling, supplemental, and completing. Very hard to express, but all so telling.
Robert Rigsby - February 6, 2018 2:30 am
Signed-on last wk. when do I start getting your writings, routine thx rdr
Deena - February 6, 2018 2:44 am
I am sure you are Everything to her as well… as it should be …..
Dru - February 6, 2018 5:02 am
The stick of dynamite is the best part. Next is the thing about her eyes. . . . ?
Jane - February 6, 2018 11:44 am
You and Jamie are a darling couple. So glad you have her to keep you straight!!!
Jeanie - February 6, 2018 3:12 pm
There is no doubt in our minds and hope there is none in Jamie’s of the blessings of life you have together. Your father in law was a wise man—-who wouldn’t want to call you son. Here is to more good years for the both of you and more books and trips together and always the love. Have a good week.
Judith - April 28, 2018 9:29 am
You are blessed!
Amy L Mack - April 28, 2018 12:35 pm
Okay, could you just stop making me bawl before I’ve finished my first cup of coffee! For heaven’s sake! Seriously, I love it when you write about Mrs. South. You are both so blessed. I know you know. SO blessed.
WB Henley - April 28, 2018 2:44 pm
You and she are blessed. Keep loving each other.
Dan Wise - April 28, 2018 2:53 pm
You wedding day anxiety reminded me of one of my Father’s favorite wits of wisdom…’Nervous as as a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs’! Been there…done that!
Katy - May 31, 2018 8:02 pm
You are a very blessed man and Jamie is one blessed woman. God was looking out for both of you!