A summer romance series, chronicling my love story
The celebration for our church was amazing. I loved seeing everyone again, enjoying the Foster estate and most of all, seeing Roger. I was staying with girlfriends for the weekend, but Sunday night, Chris and I stayed at Roger’s house because we both had early morning flights and Roger was taking us all to the airport. Roger owned a nice 3 bedroom home with a roommate. Chris took the guest room so all the guys were upstairs, and I was on the couch downstairs. We all stayed up late talking and having a great time. As everyone retired for the night, Roger put sheets and blankets on the couch for me and then it happened. He kissed me.
It had been 3 years of me falling in love with this man from afar and now he was kissing me. I was 25 years old. It was my first kiss. I clearly remember Roger saying, “I can’t believe I’m kissing Raeanne Jones.” I couldn’t believe it either! It was a whole different kind of goodbye the next morning. I was flying back to Nashville as a girlfriend, the first time I had ever held that title.
After the Point of Grace tour wrapped up, I quickly made arrangements to return to Southern California . Some girlfriends had a spare room open and I moved right in. I started looking for a job and found a temporary position at Shutters on the Beach, a boutique hotel in Santa Monica . I didn’t really care that I was sleeping on a futon or working 2 floors underground (hotels don’t waste good views on offices!), I just wanted to be close to Roger and enjoy this new relationship!
The holidays were approaching and Roger and I would be traveling to Northern California to spend time with our families. I drove 2 extra hours to Sacramento to see him and really meet his family. I was a bit nervous. I arrived at his parents’ lovely home and they were kind and welcoming. I remember after dinner one evening, we were sitting around the table, about to play a game, and Roger’s father said to me, “What are your intentions with my son?”!!! I was shocked and stuttered and stammered and then he laughed wildly and then I knew… I’d have to get him back!
Roger and I exchanged gifts before I returned to my family’s home for Christmas. Roger was very thoughtful and creative. He was so romantic. His card was beautiful, his words intentional and his penmanship impeccable! As I began to open the gift my heart stopped. It was what every girl dreamed of… a turquoise box! You know the one… the robin’s egg blue box with a white bow? Yes, Tiffany’s. And inside… a real porcelain turquoise box. I was in love.
I gave Roger tickets to Miss Saigon which was playing in San Francisco on December 29th, so I ensured that I’d see him again over the holidays! It was a wonderful first Christmas together and I couldn’t be more in love. At last, I was dating Roger Newquist.
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