Thirty-six years ago today, November 10, 1973, I worked the afternoon shift at the JC Penney store in the Lakewood Mall. To my surprise, when I arrived home from work there were TWO ~ not one, but

TWO DOZEN

red roses waiting for me. The card enclosed with the flowers read:

Tonight is going to be very, very, very special!

Love, Tony

Tony and I have known each other most of our lives ~ my earliest memories of him go back to age five. We grew up in the same southern California town, attended the same church and saw each other at children's meeting, social events and gatherings. My dad was his third grade Sunday School teacher. His mom was my sister's Sunday School teacher. We knew each other for many years when we began dating in 1970.

After three years of dating, I knew that the roses ~ the

TWO DOZEN

red roses ~ meant only

one

thing: that night I would be asked to become Mrs. Tony Redfern! He reserved a table at

The Gate of Spain

restaurant on the top floor of a building along the Santa Monica coastline. He

paid

the maitre d'

for a window table. After our meal, he pulled a handkerchief, with my engagement ring tied to it, from inside his coat pocket (he said he was so afraid of losing it)! And he asked me

Will you marry me?

So tonight, like every November 10th over the last 36 years, Tony asked me out on a date! It will be a tender time ~ maybe even tearful time ~ as we celebrate the decision we made to make a lifetime commitment to one another thirty-six years ago, and the faithfulness of God to carry us through the best of times and the worst of times.

Thanks for asking me ~ my answer is still

YES

I am so proud to be

Mrs. Tony Redfern!

I love you!