Best First Date Ever

The year was 1999 and my mother decided to venture into the online dating world. Ironically, it would be her last first date, as she is now married to my step dad. The first Saturday in May, family friends since childhood host an annual Kentucky Derby party at their house. Now this is all told third person through my sister Deanna, since I was away at college. My mother decides to be a good host and offer to make my step dad a, “Derby Day,” traditional drink: Mint Julep. My step dad’s only thoughts could be that he has himself a real party girl on his hands, as she ends up making 2 or 3 juleps on the stronger side. This would really kick in a few hours later en route to the Philadelphia 76ers game, as she fell asleep in the car on the way. Party girl? I think not.

Feeling refreshed after a power nap, my step dad shows my mom to their seats just prior to the start of the game. My mom’s first question, “Ok, what color are we?” I’m not sure what was more embarrasing: the fact that my step dad had season tickets or the fact that the opposing team was the PURPLE and YELLOW LA Lakers! A few of the people seated in the section made awkward eye contact with my step dad, as if to say, “Looks like you brought a real sports fan to the game!” Don’t forget the Lakers also had Shaq and a young Kobe Bryant, two more hyped and recognizable players.

Finally arriving home, my mom goes to step out of the Ford 150 Truck and simultaneously wave at the neighbor across the street. Only to fall face first out of the truck onto the street. My step dad, the good man that he is, quickly runs out of the car to help her up. Luckily she was ok, but of course slightly embarrased. As my step dad is assisting her up off the ground, our dog at the time, runs out of the house and pees on my step dads shoes.

Now, anyone at this point, must be questioning, why did my step dad end up marrying my mom after an eventful night where everything went wrong? He said to himself, “It can only get better from here.”
SOUL Joel