Ode to the ’85 Ford

Thank the Lord, really, that I was raised in the country and the outdoors so that I can appreciate a good pair of jeans and a work truck. After all, that’s what captured his attention… who knew? It SURE wasn’t the fact that I was a cheerleader.

The typical high school day was beginning in the quaint little town of Woodruff; a day that changed our lives forever. I was convinced my dad was crazy for teaching me to drive a stick-shift because I choked in the parking lot in front of everyone. Jason didn’t know who was to step from the truck once it was parked, but then he saw me and decided maybe I wasn’t the cheerleader he thought I was. Later I learned that not only the fact that I drove a pickup (and could actually make the 15 miles from Cross Anchor to Woodruff driving a stick) sparked his interest, but it “looked worse” than his beat up 78 Ford pickup. Dang!!! HAHA

So bloomed the next 12 years of our lives; 7 years of dating and 5 years of marriage. Of course, everyone knows how strict our household was (at least for me). And so, it was a strict one for any guy wanting to date “daddy’s oldest child and ONLY girl.” And that it was. But Jason prevailed through all the many trials. Now that’s TRUE love– the willingness to put up with a girl’s dad.

There was the 1st date… a romantic horse ride at dusk. There was the 1st real kiss; fishing and star gazing; and rodeos and cookouts with friends.  We made it through high school graduation– both of them, as he was a year older.  And then ventured off to college…  6 hours away in the heart of South GA at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC– which is the most awesome college EVA, I must add!) Six years of college came and went.  FAST.  It was some of our most memorable years, and yet Jason was always by my side, and me by his!  I think the most memorable college experience, however, was the entomology class bug collection.

We had ventured to Clemson University (the BEST university in the state of SC!) after our 2 years at ABAC and received our BS degrees, and were one semester into our Masters. I was taking ‘Entomology for Teachers’ and was required to do a bug collection which also required aquatic bugs. So we took off to Tamassee Creek. As I was teasing Jason for playing with salamanders instead of helping me hunt bugs, my life changed forever! Picture this: a guy and gal in hip waders, splashing through a crystal clear mountain creek, surrounded by nature, and their dogs splashing and playing beside them.  (Wish I would have had a photographer along. Sheesh!) Then, in the midst of all the fun… here it comes…

The proposal. 🙂  What more could a girl ask for, huh? It was beautiful!!! And he knew it would be… because he knew what kind of girl I was. I had always dreamed of being proposed to on a random Tuesday somewhere that didn’t require me to get all ‘fancied up’ for dinner!

Then, a WHOPPING 4 months after the bug hunt… we now introduce Mr. and Mrs. Jason Jennings!  I am SO proud to steal his last name, because after all, he stole my heart!

I think because we dated for so long, marriage came easier for us than it does some. But that’s just a plus!  What matters is, is that we’re two hearts in it for the long run!

Oh yeah… the 85 Ford pickup now has been through my two brothers! Many accidents in the pasture with friends that were shoved off as something the friends always did. haha. Last I heard it rests in peace in the Harvey scrap yard. *Tears* So, shall I say, heres to the 85 Ford for starting one of the most important chapters of my life! Enjoy these fantastic photos! hehehe