It Was 2005

The day was sunny and bright at Fort Jackson US Army base in Columbia, South Carolina. As we arrived, we could see soldiers running in gray t-shirts and black shorts. Others were walking to their duty stations in the green fatigues called BDUs. Inside the indoor arena, we sat on hard wooden benches waiting for the ceremony to end so we could see our son. We had not seen him for a long time while he was in basic training. 

As one of the demonstrations ended, I heard a voice calling cadence for a group of soldiers entering the arena to perform the next demonstration. The voice caught my full attention. It was familiar, but I could not see the group who were entering. Suddenly, I realized it was the voice of my son. Confirmation came as Thomas rounded the corner with his platoon seconds later. My pride and tears collided as I saw him for the first time in three months. 

I missed my twin boys. Both were in the Army. One was in a war zone on mission, and one was in basic training. Life without them at home had been sad and different from the previous twenty years. My eyes were now locked on my Thomas who was directly in front of me. Once his demonstration was over, he was gone. I wondered how I would find him when this was over. I could not remember how I found his brother at family day the year before, but I knew somehow it would happen. I could not wait, but someone else caught my attention.

Sitting a few rows down and across was a young lady that I knew. Her name was Jessica. Thomas and Jessica had dated for several months before he left for the Army. The last time I saw her was at the induction center the night he departed for training. Thomas told me that they had broken up shortly before that night, so I figured she was just being supportive. Jessica was a sweet girl, and I thought they were good for each other. Now in the arena, I was confused. Did they break up, or not?

Soon, the demonstrations were over, and we went outside to wait on Thomas. When my son appeared in his green BDU’s, I was glad to see him and even had a moment talking with him and his drill sergeant. Then Jessica appeared nearby, his eyes locked with hers, and he ran to her for a hug and kiss. Now things were getting clearer. Their actions spoke loudly. If they had broken up, that was in the past. 

We found our way to the PX for lunch. It was a crowded food court, but we all found seats at a table together. I was sitting by Jessica on one side while Thomas was on the other side by his stepmom, Pam. We were all talking and catching up when Jessica said something about “the wedding”. Confused I asked, “What wedding?”

The look on Jessica’s face was horrific. She looked at Thomas with eyes that said, “I am going to kill you” and “I love you” in the same moment. The newly minted soldier looked up from his French fries and said, “What?” 

Jessica exclaimed, “You didn’t tell your parents that you asked me to marry you?” 

My brain was in high gear now trying to mentally catch up when Thomas replied, “Well, I spent all of the little time I had either writing you or talking to you.” This was classic Thomas, and everything suddenly clicked. Jessica was my future daughter-in-law.

Almost four months later, on September 10, 2005, there was a beautiful wedding in a small country church. The best man was stuck in the war zone of Afghanistan. The denial for leave to be at his twin brother’s wedding crushed Robert, but I stood in for him. Even today, of all the memories over the twenty years that have passed, none make me smile more than learning of their marriage directly from the wonderful girl herself. 

Jessica and I still talk about that moment often. It was that moment that set off twenty years of great memories, but few are as precious as Jessica’s red face at the table in the PX. It was that day in 2005 when I learned she would be a great part of our family.

Happy 20th Anniversary Thomas and Jessica. I love you both!