You Ought To Meet Him

Robin @ Wild Animal Park- taken by Susan

My best friend Robin said 'I really like him I think you ought to meet him'. Well that was enough for me.  She's never steered me wrong before- never mind her taste in guys (present boyfriend only).

Robin, at the time was dating, her later to become husband, Jeff Moats.  By this point I knew Jeff well.  He seemed like a nice enough guy - kind of a goober (sorry may sound mean), and I think most of us wondered what Robin saw in him.  But hey she did soooo who are we to tell the girl who she gives her heart to.  Anyway, Jeff was sort of an egotist.  He liked himself a lot and thought much of his own voice.  He was a singer who played the guitar.  He wanted to be the next Neal Diamond.  And thought he'd get there quickly.  He had a very good voice, but for me his material was somewhat lacking.  He seemed to play to an older audience.  His songs were from The Kingston Trio and Neal Diamond - which were not current by any measure.  But he covered their songs well.

Anyway, one day Jeff ends up with a 'gig', but the problem is the venue wanted a duo and not a single.  So apparently he asked this guy he knew from college, Carl McKellips.  Jeff said he was a good musician and all in all it'd help him get the job.

Sooooo one day Robin's tells me that Jeff and Carl had been practicing for a while and that she really like him and thought I ought to meet him.  I'm thinking 'what do I have to lose'.  If he's a dweeb I'll simply meet him today and never see him again.  Easy peasy. 

Well it took one look and one night of listening to them practice to make me a believer- whew-baby!  Carl had talent that Jeff wished he could have AND was humble - WHAT?!  Carl had about four instruments that he had brought to that practice and played each one of them beautifully.  The one thing that I noticed was that he dressed sort of - uh how can I say it?- ummmm - like his momma bought his clothes.  I figured hey I could fix that.  And guess what - his momma DID buy his clothes.

Carl and I were married Sept 7, 1980 a few days before my 20th birthday.  We were married for almost 27 years until he died of heart failure on Easter morning April 2007.

Throughout our marriage I was always so grateful to my friend Robin (and I'd tell her so) who knew me well and thought enough of me to introduce me to the man God had hand picked for ME.  

Good friends are GOOD TO HAVE.  

My children thank you too (Lauren, Chloe & Noah)