Fast forward to Jr. High.  Idolizing Larry Bird, and donning the green and white Westmo colors, Brett found himself in good ole number 33 on the JV basketball team. He was the only one from our class that year.  I equally alone, found myself to be the only cheerleader from our grade routing for them.  So of course when it came time for the team spirit to gather and select the names we would call out as they were being announced on game day, I jumped on #33, Brett Batson.  It just seemed to fit.

 

Next up, we are at the close of our Junior year, turning into Seniors!  At a very large grad party on Cooper St. Brett showed up after his work day and drank his beer from atop the dryer.  I recall standing there with Ellen Waddell talking about skiing, and Brett mentioning that he had never been and never would.  I promised him that someday I'd teach him to ski (inebriated of course)

 

Now were Twenty (at least I am) and Cruisers is the hot spot in town...the only spot at the time besides the Bucket.  I have sworn off relationships.  I had been in one of some sort since high school and I just wanted to know what it was like to date!  [Enters Brett Batson]  I was a bar athletics coinsure.  Sitting on a stool all night bores me.  I need something to do.  I loved pool, and played darts when there was nothing else available.  Brett was cooking on Mondays and Fridays at the bar and I was there so often I became the Friday night bartender.  Every time I approached the Jukebox Brett would run over and tell me a certain series of buttons to push....it was one of my favorite songs so I always obliged (those numbers are our secret)  Journey's Faithfully was the song.  Next thing I knew Brett and I were partnering up for games of pool and darts.  He took the top side of the dart board and I aimed at the lower stuff.  I noticed more and more that the was around and on one occasion, how nicely his butt was shaped. Then on a slow night, I mentioned that I wanted to play pool....Brett did not hesitate to jump up and put quarters on the table for us to play....something was happening....

 

Early December Eric's girl friend at the time approaches me and wonders, if Brett asked, would I be up for going out with them on a double date for New Years?  I said of course...but he has to ask himself.  Two weeks later and MANY strategically placed visits to the bar he finally got me on the porch and asked.  I said yes.  We went to some restaurant in Sylvan Beach that was supposed to be fancy...it just looked like a typical Sylvan dive to me though.  We still recall how uncomfortable the whole thing was. None of us had anything to say and couldn't wait to get out of there....then when the waiter informed Lisa that her lobster would take almost an hour and she agreed I thought we were all going to choke her.  Finally though, we ended up back at Cruisers where we all relaxed, worked and partied.  My job was selling raffle tickets.  Cute girl in short dress approaches men buying shots in attempt to sell the tickets...."What are we drinking?!" was my approach. Several questionable shots and some Champaign later I was pushing through the line in the ladies room and once again, throwing up.  It felt like my M.O. where Brett Batson was concerned.  At least it was not on him. 

 

Something else happened that evening with a song on the Juke box and a random comment made by the bar owner to the two of us that I won't get into now...but it was in that moment that I knew...I was on the first date with the man that would be my husband.  It sounds corny...but it's true.  I went home that night and called a girl friend to tell her just that. 

 

The rest I think you know...dated, married in a BIG ole Cinderella wedding...house, dog(s) kid...(a lesson on skiing!)  Our lives are good. 

 

Tonight we will go out to dinner to celebrate our 15th year together.  I'm very excited about this.  My parents just reached 40 years....I hope we can make it! 

 [I hope I don't throw up on him again tonight]

 

I love you Brett



                             Mrs. Jones Third Grade





                Our First Date  New Years Eve 1994/1995





                       The Fairy Tale Wedding of 96'