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Pop The Question, Phil

Howdy, Neighbor. People have been telling Phil he’s a good storyteller for a long time… so we are trying something new and pretty-much non-sales Just sharing occasional sweet stories, tall tales, and life lessons learned around these parts. Northwoods Notes are a new, semi-bi-irregular peek into the heart and mind of Phil Frasier… you can read or listen… whichever you prefer… and you are receiving a copy because you’re a current customer of Frasier’s Plumbing and Heating, Inc. We think you’ll like them, but you can unsubscribe any time by clicking on the link at the bottom. But we hope you give us a chance!

Listen:

Read:

I first laid eyes on her at The Pizza Haven in Rhinelander.

She was with a church group, and I was carousing with some buddies doing what teenage boys do… being knuckleheads.

She was from another town a little ways away from Rhinelander.

We didn’t speak that night, but we did notice each other.

I remember thinking, “Wow, she is beautiful!”

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As fate would have it – a few months later – while attending a camp, I saw her again. Suddenly, that gorgeous girl from The Pizza Haven was standing right in front of me.

That’s when I finally learned her name was Joanna. She was fifteen, but she wasn’t allowed to date until she turned sixteen, which is how old I was at the time.

But that didn’t keep us from making out on the chapel steps. She was not only good-looking, but she was a good kisser too.

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After we started officially dating, Joanna would send me cards with little bible verses. At the time, I thought she was one weird girl.

She’d say she was praying for me. I didn’t know how to take that, but for some reason it drew me closer to her. Well, that and the fact that she had the most beautiful eyes I’d ever seen.

I loved spending time with Joanna. She talked a lot (and, honestly, that hasn’t changed) but I loved it.

We didn’t party. We didn’t curse. Ours was a cool, wholesome relationship.

Like many kids at that age, I desperately wanted to fit in. So I was always goofing off doing other things… which meant our relationship was on-and-off again for about seven years.

But during that time, Joanna remained a stable, steady presence in my life.

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Later, after I grew up a little, I was ready to propose. And so was she.

I didn’t have any money back then, so my mom gave me a Precious Moments figurine with a ring on.

When it came time to pop the question, Joanna wouldn’t stop talking. And she saw the ring and said “yes” before I was able to utter the words “will you marry me?” She felt so bad about that.

Flash forward to ten years ago. During my quest to catch a fish in every state, we took a trip to Hawaii. I bought a brand new ring with me.

We went to dinner at an outdoor restaurant. There were candles, hanging lights, we’re in Hawaii. It was perfect!

During dinner, another couple showed up at the restaurant with a cute little girl. Now, you should know… Joanna LOVES kids.

Joanna struck up a conversation with the couple and it wasn’t long before their little girl is sitting on Joanna’s lap.

I’m thinking, here we go again! I’m never going to be able to properly propose.

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We left the restaurant with the ring still in my pocket and went to the Four Seasons hotel lounge. A piano player set the mood as we relaxed on a big comfy couch.

It was finally time to pop the question.

That’s when I felt the butterflies. But why? We already had five kids and one grandkid at the time. Why was I suddenly a nervous wreck?

Because I had never formally asked her to marry me.

But this time, I did it. It only took me 27 years, but I finally proposed to my wife.

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Joanna… you are the glue that holds everything together. You complete me. I never would have made it this far and this long without you. And I couldn’t imagine life without you.

You are amazing in every single way.

You’re still as beautiful as the first time I saw you.

You’re an amazing woman, mother, and grandma.

You make me want to be a better person.

Happy Anniversary, Joanna. I love you.

Your loving husband…

Phil

P.S. – Let’s go out on the town tonight. The Pizza Haven is open until 10.

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