Today something happened to me that was a first for me. An official first anyway. I met a real live fellow blogger. A friend blogger that is. I have met and hung out with another popular blogger in the past, but I was not involved with the blogging community yet so it kinda didn’t count. Until today.

Today the Jogging In Circles author Kim, came to my house for a friendly visit. If you don’t already read her, I highly suggest you start. To me it’s kinda weird when you actually hear and see the person behind the words you have been reading for a while. You see where they live and you just get a voice in your head as to what they might sound like. Even from the phone or videos, it’s always different in person. I had never spoken to Kim before today outside of occasional emails, social networking and blogging. She and my wife are quite the friends so they had spoken several times before but only met themselves today.

Kim came to the house and brought gifts for my girls and some flowers and cannoli’s for my house. So very nice of her and totally not necessary. We were supposed to enjoy some Bud Light Lime’s but she was a little done with alcohol after a week of vacationing. Next time Kim, I’ll go ahead and drink yours for you and re-stock next time around. We had a nice chat for a little while and all went to lunch afterwards. Thanks, Kim, you really didn’t need to do that. We went here, a fun local spot for families, and had quite a good time.

Kim challenged me, hockeyman, to some air hockey. I must say she put up a valiant effort and even led 3-0 at one point. But I am hockeyman, and I got warmed up. Final score was 7-6 and I prevailed. Maybe next time Kim. I also whooped her at a hoops game challenge, but I am hockeyman so I wanted to mention that. Kim did win the racing game challenge with myself and kid in lap in one car, the wife and other kid in another car, and Kim in the last. I think we had a disadvantage and probably had buttons pushed by the kids causing our defeat. Hehehe…..kidding.

Overall good times were had by all and I look forward to doing it again. Kim is from near where I grew up so hearing her talk reminds me of family and home in many ways.

I expect the wife will post about today too. She has the camera so you need to find pics there. I also just heard the music from the website above so I’m gonna publish my post before hers is done!

Angie says from the neck up I look like Jason Mraz in my new hat. I kinda like it so I’ll wear it more, but I was the hit of the Halloween party in this “Dick in a Box” get up. What was in the box? I removed the link from the post as I do not want that kinda spam coming back to me. It was REALLY nasty and HIGHLY offensive, but killed the curiosity in everyone that inquired. It was everyone too… I’m the Justin Timberlake half of the duo if you wondered.

If you remember, a few days ago I wrote an item in this post that something special had happened that day. Today I get to elaborate on that I was talking about.

It seems like only yesterday we were playing tricks on the babysitter. Locking her out of the house and giggling on the other side of the door as she beat on it. Melting crayons on the roof. Climbing out onto the roof just to climb to the top until someone saw us and snitched. Turning the living room into a grocery store, an office, and the ever popular Pat’s place.

As little kids we were the best of friends. We got into all sorts of trouble without ever being caught, like the hobby shop, and laughed the whole time. Sometimes we got caught and today we think back and laugh. Like the butter on the ceiling and the stroganoff in the window. Haha, that was funny.

I actually remember taking this picture.

As we got older we grew apart as buddies and just lived as neighbors in our parents home. Since then though, we have become friends again and share more adult conversations about real things with real emotions and real situations. Not just what cartoons were on our Saturday morning schedule.

Years have passed and there have been several boys in her life, a few got quite serious as well. She seemed to have the worst luck though as when things got to that magic point, they all left. They also all followed the same patterns, within a few months of separation, they all got some other girl knocked up and left to marry them instead of my sister. It was sad and sadder and sad again to watch it happen. But, she was strong and she persevered.

Then she met some boy name David while living in her current home state of Alabama. As per usual, I had my hesitations regarding the seriousness of things and the relationship itself. After all, we’ve seen it before and I didn’t want to get too attached. I met David once before in a brief overnight visit and I saw then something was different. I saw the way he looked at her. I saw how he talked to her. My first reaction to gag because it was my sister, but there was something very endearing in his ways with her. He was fairly quiet and reminded me of me, but he certainly loved her and all her little quirks. It was all over his face and sleeves.

Earlier this week he sent me a message and asked for my phone number. He also asked me not to mention it to my sister and I suspected why he made such a request. Later that day my suspicions were confirmed. As you probably know, my father passed away 3 years ago this December. This is an important tidbit to keep in mind. David had called me, exchanged some standard pleasantries and then got to it. I could hear the nerves in his voice and I wonder if he could hear mine. He asked me for permission to marry my sister. I took a deep breath as there were several emotions of my own rushing through me, but I gave it with a smile and compliments to him and to them. I was honored and happy to see there are a few more noble gentlemen out there as I like to think I am.

Then this afternoon, I got a phone call from my baby sister. She was obviously in tears and crying, but in a good way. She was engaged. We talked for only a minute and thats probably a good thing, cause I had my own tears welling up I needed to choke back. The tears of joy in me don’t come very often or easy and I was out in public where boys don’t cry. Boy was I close though. She asked me to walk her down the aisle and I said of course, and I will be honored to do so. I promised her I would when our Dad died and I have actually dreamt of the moment. I have given thought to my response when I am asked who gives away this woman. But I will do my part with great honor, pride, and happiness just as my father would have.

My baby sister, all grown up, is now engaged to be married. God bless you sis, I am so very happy for you.
I love you!

Read her blog by clicking here.