Wade

[written 2026-03-26]

Wade is my 2nd husband. In 1980, 46 years ago, we met on a doorstep and have been married almost that long. I had moved to Kill Devil Hills of the Outer Banks of North Carolina after I completed my college education. East Carolina University of Greenville, North Carolina was where I earned my Bachelor of Science degree in Art Education with a concentration (which is like a minor) in Ceramics. It happened to be on the way when I'd leave the beach to visit my parents in Goldsboro, home of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. I came by to say "hi" to Mike my bikeshop friend and my brother's friend,too...in those good ole 10-speed biker days we loved. But Mike was not there. But, his new roommate was-- and that's how we met on the doorstep. I did not know him but he was well aware of me, for he was friends, also with my brother's friends and I had waited on their table once--a group of college boys, half I knew,  before I had graduated. Wade was among those in that group [eating out with my brother [Grateful Dave], Dickie [Dave's best from high school ], Donnie [a retired nurse, pro turkey hunter, another buddy of ours from high school].  Wade just happened to be friends with all of them. Of course he said come in and said Mike was not there and he knew not where he was. I introduced myself but he already knew I was Grateful Dave's sister and remembered me from that time I waited on them.  So. in short summary of the rest- we've been mostly blessed and I won't deny my marriage had some very rocky moments that came close to divorcement, complete with different separations. And much to overcome with Depression and mental illness. I will say the 2nd separation lasted 2 years, 2010-2012 with initial intent to divorce.  Miraculously we were able to reconcile and resume our marriage. It was the best thing for my whole family as well. We are now happiest together and still together. We share in a rich, full life with our 3 adult children, 6 grandchildren and 3 godchildren [those siblings of our own grandchildren with a different daddy]. Sadly, the 3rd separation occurred during a period where we were living on our son's farm and his wife left him. He had 3 young children, but then about a year and a half into that, back in Goldsboro,  my brother became sickly and was diagnosed with lung cancer. He had no one--- his wife had left him, too. So, we both agreed and Wade stayed on the farm and took care of the grandkids while I stayed in Goldsboro until my brother passed away in January of 2020. Wade and I remained connected and communicated through these devices and weekly visits.  I love Wade more than ever now....but it wasn't always so. When my parents died,  I lost my compass and spiraled into insanity. I am a recovered insane person.