A Bouquet of a Dozen Sandwiches

She suggested a picnic.

But here was the thing:  I had no idea what she liked to eat.

Was she a carnivore?  Vegetarian?  Pescatarian?  A Baptist?

Turns out, it was the latter.  If I had known that beforehand, I could have just swung through a KFC for a bucket of 11 herbs and spices.  Baptists love their fried chicken.  My mom, wisely, told me some flowers might be a better option for a date. 

Still, I had no idea what to bring food-wise for our picnic.  

We had gone out a few times before, but now it was quickly ramping up to the “do we like the same type of food” commitment level.  Fractures of epic proportions have occurred throughout history and, in a little known fact, many happened due to differences over food.  It’s rumored that King Edward VIII broke up with England because he couldn’t find biscuits and gravy worth a crap at Buckingham Palace.  I don’t blame him.  I’ve been to London before and yes, they have a rich culture, romantic castles, and a storied history.  They did not, however, have Varsity hot dogs, Texas brisket, or Conecuh sausages.  I’m pretty sure this was why groups of people loaded up in boats and headed for new land.  When the American colonists got so fed up in the mid 1700’s with England trying to impose their lousy food on them, they protested by dumping perfectly good pitchers of sweet tea in the Boston Harbor.

Or something like that.  But, I digress.

Where was I?  Right.  The picnic.  So, I made twelve different types of sandwiches for her - and picked up a Chick Fil A sandwich to boot on the way.  Hey, you can’t be too careful at a hinge moment like this.  You see, this wasn’t just any date.  This girl was special and I really, really wanted her to like me.  In hindsight, I’m surprised that she didn’t think that I was a stalker with OCD.  Surprisingly, she didn’t think I was a complete nutcase for making so many different types of sandwiches.  She actually thought it was endearing. No, that picnic led to another date, then the next one, and a few more afterwards. 

Lord willing, we’ll be married 31 years next May.