It was early spring of 1988 when Dave first fell for Lisa. The moment was in the hallways of Spearfish High School outside the science room. Dave was gathered with a group of friends, and Lisa was going into science when she stopped to say something to a member of the group. She had a bounce in her step that made it seem as though she floated on air, and the cutest smile and giggle that melted his heart. Lisa was a junior, and he was a freshman. But he would not forget how she looked that day and the effect it had on him. For the next couple of months, Dave saw Lisa in the hallways but could not gather the courage to talk to her or even to say hello. Our story moves forward a couple of months to late June at the Valley Café on Main Street in Spearfish. It was Dave’s first job: he was washing dishes and bussing tables. It was then that he noticed that his crush, the girl who caught his attention outside the science room, was waiting tables. Soon Dave turned sixteen, was able to drive, and moved from dishes to the line as a cook. This was his opportunity. Lisa and Dave began to exchange flirtatious smiles, teasing one-liners, and an occasional touch on the arm or shoulder. Neither Dave nor Lisa remember how it happened. Did he ask for her number and call? Did he simply find a moment at work? Either way he asked his crush out on a date. What a move! This soon-to-be sophomore just secured a date with a soon to be senior—unheard of! There must have been a spark; there must have been a connection—something to make this happen. Dave and Lisa both knew something was special. They just had no idea how special their connection was to become. It is now mid-July of 1988. Dave, confident in his white 1966 Ford Mustang, rolled up to Lisa’s house to pick her up for their date. There was a new miniature golf business in town, and that would be the location of their first date. The date got off to a wonderful start. Neither was particularly good at mini golf, but that just made for more laughs and a lot of fun. The nerves melted away; a touch on the shoulder became a touch of the hands; and by the time their experience was over, both Dave and Lisa were completely comfortable with each other— laughing, talking, and of course, just smiling at each other. Lisa’s smile and giggle seized Dave’s heart to begin with. Now it was on full display, and his heart was hers. Perhaps for the first time, Lisa noticed Dave’s blue eyes, which she would come to admire so much. She would note how easily they talked that first night as they cruised around Spearfish, as was the custom in 1988, and how caring and genuine Dave was. But there was still hesitation, apprehension, and questions. Even though the night surely ended with a kiss, where was this all going? Soon after their date, Lisa traveled with her parents and older sister to San Francisco. While there, she visited Alcatraz and sent Dave a postcard. It was a friendly postcard, nothing romantic, but a clear sign in Dave’s mind that Lisa was interested, that he was on her mind even when far away from home. The very night she returned to Spearfish, Lisa met Dave after his shift at the café. As would become the hallmark of their relationship, they sat in his car and talked for what seemed like hours. The talk ranged from playful to serious, as they listened attentively to each other. That night, a summer romance was cemented, and the quick kiss goodnight on the first date turned into, well, a much more romantic and loving kiss. Lisa and Dave continued their talk, now in each other’s arms before finally saying goodnight before Dave’s midnight curfew.

The next month or so of the summer seemed to last forever. Lisa and Dave talked on the phone whenever they could. When Lisa was working at her father’s shop, Dave would frequently visit her as she sat behind and sometimes on the counter with her famous smile. Lots of time was spent cruising, parking, talking, and holding each other. One evening, they had spent so much time talking in front of Lisa’s house, her dad informed them that “it is time for your friend to go home.” They must have known how special their young relationship was. It was mature in nature but innocent in action. They could converse for hours on things most teenagers would never talk to one another about and developed a true friendship, as well as a caring romance. Even a very teenage make-out session on the football field at school turned into gazing at the stars and talking about their future hopes and dreams. But knowing exactly how deep they cared for each other took an unlikely and unexpected event. One day, Lisa asked Dave if he wanted to come to Rapid City with her and friend. Even though they both had to work at the café that evening, he agreed, and off they went in Lisa’s brown Chevette. Lisa’s friend was in the passenger seat, and Dave was a little uncomfortable in the middle of the back seat trying to be a part of the conversation. It was early in the drive that a song came on the radio that Lisa turned up only slightly: “You Can’t Hurry Love” by Phil Collins. Unexpectedly, Dave and Lisa locked eyes in the rearview mirror, both grinning and fully understanding the moment. As the song ended and Lisa turned the radio back down, it became obvious that her friend had noticed this moment as well and was just staring at them in amazement. She sarcastically proclaimed, “I wonder what the kids will look like.” In a moment of tension-breaking laughter, Lisa reached back, and Dave took her hand. Truly a magical moment. They both now knew just how special their still innocent relationship had become. A breakup, kind of? Lisa and Dave’s breakup was a delicate matter. As school started back up in September, there was one cloud looming over this magical relationship: the inescapable fact that Lisa would graduate in the spring of ’89 and would leave Spearfish for college. For a while, the subject was avoided, but soon it could not be ignored. This seemed to be the topic Lisa and Dave could not find the necessary maturity and logic to handle in conversation. The clock was ticking, and the longer the topic was avoided, the potentially more difficult it could be to handle. One early evening, Dave dropped Lisa off at her parents’ house. A quick kiss and a “talk to you later” took an unexpected turn. For the first time, Dave added the words “I love you.” He didn’t really think about it; it wasn’t a particularly romantic moment or special occasion. It just came out naturally. The moment did not go as seen in the movies, just the opposite, in fact. Lisa looked at Dave in terror! The wheels turning, “What did he just say?” “Oh my God! Did he just?” as she managed to get out a faltering “bye” before nearly running to the door. Dave sensed this might spell trouble. The setting was Homecoming, specifically the dance. Something was not right; something was out of the ordinary. They arrived together, but barely spoke or spent any time with each other at the dance. Growing more concerned, Dave finally confronted Lisa with tears in his eyes. Lisa hugged him, told him she was sorry, then asked that they leave the dance. There was a short conversation in the parking lot of the school, a quiet drive to drop Lisa off, and the difficult moment when the breakup was confirmed. Both seemed stunned and unsure, but it was over, or so it seemed. While the “boyfriend/girlfriend” phase of their relationship ended that night their friendship grew even stronger over the next two years. A year later, they had never been closer or cared for each other more.

It must have been April of 1989. Lisa and Dave had remained friends, even had a few occasional “dates” going to the movies or cruising Spearfish. But they had slowly talked less and less and grown slightly apart as they pursued other relationships. They ran into each other at the same Valley Café where their relationship had begun. Lisa approached Dave and asked, “I hear you’re moving; where are you moving to?” Dave told her that his father had received a promotion and been transferred to Omaha. Lisa’s smile soon turned to something Dave recognized. It was the same look she had when Dave let slip those frightening three words many months before. Dave cautiously asked her where she had decided to go to college. Her response was “Creighton.” “Where is that?” “Omaha.” Now Dave understood that look. He probably had the same look and pit in his stomach. They both had to be wondering, “What if?” but now it seemed too late, an opportunity missed. Dave and his family arrived to Omaha first, and in August of 1989, Dave picked Lisa up from the Omaha airport. She had flown in to begin college and would be staying with Dave and his parents before moving into the dorm. They had many conversations on the phone that summer, but nothing like the reconnection they would experience in those couple of days. Even their deep friendship seemed to have taken a sharper turn; they could still talk for hours about their dreams, fears, and the events in their lives. They discovered they could still hold each other’s hands and even watch a movie in each other’s arms. Yet, they remained close friends and nothing more than that, at least in their minds. A relationship that was not a relationship, yet neither was confused about it. Lisa spent some weekends at Dave’s parents’ house over the next couple of years—completely innocent weekends that involved watching a movie, cooking a meal, Lisa doing some of her laundry, and homework. Lisa and Dave didn’t even realize they were functioning as a couple through all of this. They would go grocery shopping together, cook meals together, and cuddle on the couch watching TV or a movie together, all the while feeling completely at ease and comfortable with each other. Is it possible that they both knew then how this would all end up? Is it likely that neither was mature enough to know what to do with what they were feeling? Why and how could they not see the opportunity slipping away before their eyes? Perhaps those hopes and dreams clouded their vision, or maybe the idea was too much to face? Either way, they would soon go in different directions, literally and figuratively, as Lisa went to graduate school in Milwaukee, and Dave started college in western Nebraska. While they would never lose complete touch, it would be many years before they would once again meet face to face and find their second chance at love.

It all started with lunch, just to catch up. Then a hike, a snack, some wine. A little drive through the Hills. Dinner. A walk in the park, and some canoodling on a park bench. A motorcycle ride took us through the Hills and into Sturgis and was followed by a sleepover and a hike through the Badlands, a LOT of hours on the phone, and finally a sad farewell at the airport. Lisa: When I returned to South Dakota this summer to visit my folks, the last thing I expected was to fall back in love with my high school sweetheart. Shortly after I arrived, Dave reached out to see if I wanted to get together to catch up. A quick lunch turned into a nearly four-hour session that neither one of us wanted to end. My drive back to Spearfish went by in a flash, and the whole time I couldn’t stop smiling. Dave had just returned home to Wall after our lunch when he texted and invited me to go hiking with him over the weekend. If you know me, you know I love a good long hike. Also, I really wanted to see Dave again. He picked me up bright and early that Sunday, and after a quick chat with my dad, we were off on a lovely excursion along the Mickelson Trail. Ten miles later (really), we were ready to wrap up the hike, but neither of us was quite ready to wrap up our time together. (Dave may have been planning this all along …). We stopped at the Prairie Berry Winery in Hill City to grabbed a bit and continue our conversation, getting to know each other all over again and remembering what it was we had seen in each other 34 years earlier. I know it sounds cheesy, but at one point our eyes met, and a jolt of electricity ran through me. We next stopped in Deadwood where we strolled along the historic Main Street and checked out the shops for a bit. Then we drove back to Spearfish in time for dinner which I don’t think either one of us really tasted. Still not ready to wrap things up, we went for a walk through the park, and he (finally!) grabbed and held my hand. After behaving like teenagers for a bit, we had to pick my daughter Elsie up from work, which sadly brought an amazing day to an end. By then it was nearly 10:00 pm, and Dave still had a 2-hour drive back to Wall. The next few days we spent a lot of time on the phone talking or texting and made plans to go to Sturgis for the Bike Rally. Dave rode his Harley into Spearfish, picking me up again bright and early, and off we went through the Hills. We had a beautiful ride and wound up in Sturgis in time for lunch, then walked around for a couple more hours checking out all the motorcycles and other vehicles on display. And somehow, we ended up talking about which one would be good for us to use after I retired back to the Black Hills. Us?! Where is this going? There were many more text messages and phone calls over the following days. Dave invited me to his place in Wall for a day so he could spoil me for a bit. What kind of fool would say no to that? Of course, I had to ask my parents’ permission to take their car. Overnight. With a boy! That was a fun conversation, but they graciously agreed. (If you think it’s tough asking to take your parents’ car when you’re a teenager, try it when you’re in your 50s!) Of course, then I had to tell my kids that I was going to a sleepover with that guy I had been hanging out with. That was even more fun, especially when my son, Sedjro, gave me a strict 8:00 pm curfew for that evening. LOL—I don’t think so! I left the house early and got to Wall in time for breakfast and coffee. As it warmed up, off we went for a drive and hike through the Badlands. Another glorious day spent together! Back at his house, he fixed me a cocktail and made dinner. He may have been a bit distracted and forgotten a few ingredients but that’s ok— dinner was delicious, and the company couldn’t have been better. The next morning, I found it hard to say goodbye.

Our departure date was drawing near, and I was glad when he asked if he could come to the airport and see us off the following weekend. In the meantime, my dad had made plans for a neighborhood barbecue and wanted to make sure I invited Dave to join us. That Thursday, the day of the barbecue, Dave showed up at the house around ten to help us set up. After an hour or so, we took off to spend some time alone. Back at the park, we found a cozy bench to enjoy some quiet moments together. We eventually wandered over to the Fish Hatchery where we fed some fish and toured some of their facilities. At one of the sites, the women mentioned that the gardens were available for weddings. Hmm, wonder why she would mention that? We had a nice chuckle as we were leaving, but it may have already been on our minds. The barbecue was nice, but sadly Dave had to leave early for football practice. I was looking forward to seeing him again on Saturday but dreading the thought of saying goodbye. Saturday arrived and after some sad farewells to my folks, a friend drove the kids and me to the airport. Check-in went smoothly, and we had plenty of time before boarding to sit and enjoy each other’s company. It was another beautiful day, so Dave and I moved outside to enjoy the weather and a bit of privacy, leaving the kids inside on their phones. We made tentative plans to get together in Europe in December and bemoaned the fact that we would be so far away from each other. We both knew it was going to be difficult, especially since we had just rekindled our relationship. We had already accepted that we were in a relationship again and talked about the travel we would do together after I left Abu Dhabi in 2024. But what would we do in the meantime? Those two years lay out in front of us like an insurmountable obstacle. December in Europe was going to be spectacular, but not enough time and just a temporary reprieve. I think it was at that point that Dave pulled me in a bit tighter and said, “You know, I’m going to marry you someday.” My response was immediate and brief: “I know.” The trip back to Abu Dhabi was SO long! Once I arrived, we quickly worked out a schedule of regular chats on WhatsApp that changed only when school started back up. Suddenly our long phone calls became limited to a half hour during Dave’s lunch break and an hour or so in my morning before I headed to work. Weekends were better—still mornings and nights, but often the calls were three to four hours long. After all, we had over thirty years to catch up on! Our plans for a December trip to Europe came together quickly, and we both started counting down the days. I pulled together an itinerary that took us from Vienna to Budapest to Zagreb to Lake Bled and back to Vienna via Salzburg. At the same time, Dave was looking at rings. He couldn’t keep it from me and let me know that a formal proposal was coming my way. Of course, that was just a formality since we both knew I was going to say yes. Formality or not, we both wanted to have the moment. Despite all our regular communication, we were both pretty unhappy. Happy, but unhappy. We knew we couldn’t continue this way for two years. The groundwork for our friendship had been laid years ago and meant that we knew each other, so it wasn’t as if we were starting from scratch. We picked up where we left off and ran with it. During one of our marathon conversations, we admitted that we were miserable the way things were being so far apart and had to do something. So, I checked Elsie's school calendar, and we agreed on a date that fell during her Spring Break. April 1, it is! No fooling.

I initially had in mind a small simple courthouse ceremony so I could just add Dave to my travel orders, and he could make travel arrangements to move to Abu Dhabi after the school year wrapped up. We had hoped to have a casual reception at the Fish Hatchery in Spearfish, but unfortunately, the facility was not available until May. With that roadblock, we started looking elsewhere, checking in and around Spearfish. Dave’s daughter, Alyssa, suggested we check with Custer State Park—and soon after that, we put down a deposit on the space, started building a guest list and talking about decorations and photographers and cake and meals and bridesmaids’ dresses and groomsmen suits. So much for a small courthouse ceremony! Dave kept looking at rings, and with Alyssa’s help, found “the one.” I was looking at dresses, and with Elsie’s help, found “the one.” After extensive perusing of websites, I found a wedding band for Dave that I thought was “the one.” (I really hope he likes it!) Elsie and Alyssa settled on bridesmaid dresses, and I found some beautiful bouquets. Dave met with a baker and lined up the wedding cake and found a photographer. Everything was falling into place! We now had two countdown calendars – one for our trip to Europe and one for the wedding. Dave and I have had so much fun talking about our wedding plans, and of course our plans after the wedding. We both love to travel and are looking forward to many adventures. We are also perfectly content being at home in each other’s company, something we learned 30+ years ago! We got to put all that to the test in November. As Dave was coaching the Wall HS football team to a State Championship, I was scheming with Alyssa to fly in for the final game. I was supposed to fly to Rapid City and catch a ride with Alyssa and Dave’s son, Jack to Vermillion. However, I missed my connection in Dallas and ended up getting re-routed to Sioux Falls. Dave was already there, and we won an extra day together. After their win and our drive to Rapid City after the celebration, I learned my return flight to Abu Dhabi was cancelled and couldn't be re-booked for three more days. I wasn't mad about it. Dave and I really enjoyed those extra days together. Our next adventure is a week spent together exploring Christmas markets in the Balkans - arriving in Vienna, moving on to Budapest, Zagreb, and Lake Bled before returning to Vienna. At some point Dave is going to ask a very important question. If you haven't caught on yet, my answer will be an enthusiastic YES! We continue to make plans for the coming weeks, months, and years. I, for one, could not imagine a better partner. Neither of us has ever been so happy as when we are together and we cannot wait to continue to build our lives together.