After strolling around the house on a Saturday Morning trying to wake up, trying to decide what projects I would be doing, I stood in the kitchen near the counter. I called into the family room, "Lori, what do you want…" I stopped mid sentence. I looked out into the family room where Lilly was sitting on the couch. She looked back at me.
"Daddy, why did you call out Mommy's name?"
"I don't know Lilly, it just happens sometimes."
That was how my morning started… today. I don't know why it just comes out. It doesn't happen often, but it still happens. Maybe there is a certain order of things that when recreated, puts me back some years.
I am going to tell a story about Kevin and Jessica. I hope they don't mind. I don't think they will. Lori always had a special relationship with both of them. Of course it is easy to say that about most people that Lori knew, because Lori had a special, or maybe a better word would be unique, relationship with everyone.
Lori had a keen sense to know when a couple was destined to be together, and she sensed that with Kevin and Jessica relatively quickly. Although she wouldn't intrude into the privacy of the couple, she also didn't have any issues with bringing up the topic. So after Kevin and Jessica had been dating for awhile, Lori would tease Kevin relentlessly about getting married. She would also get me involved, telling me to "talk to your brother". I didn't. That's just how it is with brothers. If one wants to talk to the other, they will. No sense in bringing it up unless it is brought up to you.
Lori's enthusiasm and excitement for them was real. And regardless to how she was feeling, she made her available to them to help in any way she could. For Lori, Jessica was like having a sister and friend rolled into one. Perhaps, it was from the many things they held in common. From decorating and gardening, to sewing and cooking. From a glass of wine to a cold beer. From a good movie to a good book or magazine.
In early June, right before Taste of Charlotte, Kevin had asked me to stop over to help unload a new grill he had bought. Lilly and I hopped into the car and headed out. I helped haul the old grill from the back deck to the garage. Helped unload the new grill (still in the box) from the back of their truck. And together, in the garage, Kevin and I went to work at putting together the new grill.
Inside the house, Jessica entertained Lilly. Or perhaps, Lilly entertained Jessica. Lilly also has a very special, unique, relationship with "Aunt Jessica". I won't try to speak for Jessica, but for Lilly, it could be the food, the dessert, the sewing, the books, the gardening, the decorating, or the movies. It is also the dogs. And did I mention that Aunt Jessica ALWAYS has dessert? Not that she needs to bribe Lilly. Lilly just loves hanging out with her.
As Kevin and I continued to fight our way through the instruction manual, Jessica came out proclaiming that Lilly was content at watching a movie inside. She then handed over a box to me with some "we got you something for helping us" type of message. I didn't think much of it since I was busy trying to figure out how part number 27 was supposed to hook up to part 28. I opened the box and found three items inside. From left to right was a Nintendo Wii Controller, a small box with the letter R on it, and a jar of Prego Spaghetti Sauce. I was confused at first, then started to realize that they were providing me a puzzle. I would like to say that I was quick to solve it, but it seemed like a long time before it all came together. "Wii" "R" "Prego".
From this point, things are a little blurry. I'm sure I was excited. Excited. That word doesn't seem to be powerful enough to describe the emotion. Ecstatic? Happy? I know I hugged them, congratulated them, told them how happy I was for them. I remember asking a question or two. I think I also told them I didn't know what to ask? Jessica started talking and I stepped back to the other end of the garage.
While she talked, I stared. Not at her. But near her. As she talked, the image of Lori appeared next to her. She wore jeans and a yellow shirt, green sneaker type shoes. Her hair was sandy blonde and straight. I watched as Lori stood up, walked toward her and extended her right arm slowly raising it from against her side to Jessica's lower back. She leaned back from the waist up, the smile on her face a mile wide. She was glowing. The sound she made was exactly what I expected to hear from her, although I find it difficult to describe, I have heard Lori say it a number of times. "Whaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!" That doesn't do it much justice. As I type it, it sounds right, but it might sound strange to you. She followed up the long exciting sound with "I'm so happy for you!"
I stood there in the garage, Jessica still talking, watching Lori celebrate with her. For her. My eyes started to water. And just as quickly as she appeared, Lori disappeared. I realized that my eyes were wet. I wondered what Jessica had just told me. I didn't tell her what happened. Until now.
I look forward to hearing from Jessica about how things actually happened from her end. She can fill in the gaps during the time when my mind was not there. Lori knew how important this moment was and unselfishly, Lori made sure she was there, at that moment, to show her never ending support. Congratulations to Kevin and Jessica!
Love, Matt, Lilly, and…… Lori.