Can you remember one phone call that made a difference in your life?
Do you remember what time it was?
What you were doing when the call came?
Mine came October 4, 2001.
We were all still reeling from 9/11.
I had recently returned from the Baptism of nephew Sam in Wisconsin, a spur of the minute driving trip I had taken with the kids.
It was shortly after 3 p.m., and I was at work. Molly had a volleyball match and I needed to get her from one school to another.
Her friend’s mom called and said she would pick the girls up and I could just come when it was time for the match.
Had she not called, I would not have been at my desk.
When the phone rang again, the voice at the other end of the line asked, “How are you?” as if 21 years had not passed, as if he had not shredded my heart to pieces the last time I heard from him.
I always say he sounds exactly like Sam Elliott, even though their politics could not be more different.
Just hearing his voice that day made my palms sweat.
All these years later, I know that he called that day on a dare, that his boss - Glenrock Police Chief Mike Colling - said if Owen didn’t call me, he’d do it himself.
Mike and his wife, Judi, had recently purchased The Hotel Higgins in Glenrock and wanted me to review its stellar restaurant, The Paisley Shawl.
Of course, Owen didn’t tell me that when he called. He asked if I would like to have dinner and then see Anne Murray at the Casper Events Center.
I honestly thought I was having a heart attack during the call.
I went to volleyball, it started to snow, and I made sloppy Joe’s for the kids for dinner.
I called my Mom and asked what I should wear.
I have always been accused of overdressing, but this obviously needed to be a wow.
We settled on a super cute black dress, short sleeved because I am always hot, with a pretty wool cape in case the October evening turned chilly.
He arrived in a suit and tie and I was very glad I chose a dress.
I had worked with both he and his Mom at the Star-Tribune and counted his Mom as one of my dear friends.
He reported that she knew about and approved of the date, as opposed to 21 years earlier when she wisely counseled that he would break my heart.
I remember Chef Calvin Colling’s Duck Three Ways. I tell him frequently that I want him to make it again, because I was so nervous I barely ate.
We arrived very late to Anne Murray, and I wish she would come back as well.
As for us, we have known numerous couples who have met, married and divorced in the 23 years we have been doing whatever this is we are doing.
I want to constantly go, he is perfectly happy in his recliner in his house.
Retired 12 years from the Glenrock Police Department, he drives a school bus August to May to keep me from spending his money.
I dream of palm trees and golf courses in the winter, he drives bus trips on dark, snowy roads to Burns and Newcastle and other exotic destinations.
He is obsessed with Fox News and Ancient Aliens. I prefer HGTV and QVC.
My kids are grateful for him for always being here when I need him, or as they say, taking the pressure off of them.
As we age, this year has been a bit of a challenge.
I still want to go, but now need his help.
He wants us both to stay put, but I am resisting.
We are celebrating our anniversary by going to a tailgate party in the school parking lot and watching the winless Herders try to win a game. Not exactly Las Vegas.
I never thought that call would come.
I am grateful to God every day that it did, even when Fox News is too loud and he won’t go get me ice cream.
Sally Ann Shurmur can be reached at: SallyAnnShurmur@gmail.com
