Music, Friends, and Fun

Dear Hubby Steve went to the Lakeside Arts and Music Festival at Nelson Park on Lake Decatur last night. The festival has a lot of arts vendors and demos, food and drinks, and entertainment. Our friends, the Chicago Blues band Deluxury, were the entertainment on the main stage that evening, and we were looking forward to seeing Dave and Mike and the guys put on a good show.

We got down there a little late, and most of the arts vendors were closing up shop, so we decided to grab a bite to eat and then go check out the stage area and maybe have a few moments to visit with our friends.

It was an excellent show, and the weather was absolutely perfect - - sky was clear, stars were shining brightly, and the music was, of course, fantastic.

Once the show was over, Steve and I walked along the waterfront, making our way back to the the truck. It was dark, with very few lights on in the area. There was just a small breeze, and as we walked, you could hear the water lapping against the shore. It reminded us both of the time - - gosh, 23 years ago now - -

Steve and I had just met and started dating when he lost his job. He was pretty nervous that since he didn't have the money to actually take me out on dates, I would not want to see him. Well, he didn't have to worry about that - - we spent many evenings over the next few weeks down at the lakefront at Nelson Park, walking and talking, and really getting to know each other. We became close friends and confidants, and - - well, that gave us a good solid foundation to build on.

And look where we are now - - all these years later.

Steve and I have had our ups and downs, good times and bad. Sometimes the going gets rough, like at the present time, when our other house still has not sold and money is SO tight . . .

But walking the lakefront with Steve last night brought back so many good memories - - of when it was all brand new and exciting and scary, all at the same time.

And you know what? Even if I had known back than what I know now, and knew how hard it was going to be sometimes, and the difficulties we would have to overcome . . .

I wouldn't change a thing.

I took a chance way back then on a new boyfriend who was newly unemployed - - and I will take that chance now. It WILL get better for us. We WILL weather this latest storm, just like we did way back when.

"For better or for worse" - - THAT is what it's all about!