The Story of Us- Chapter One- Where it all started

I just finished reading The Pioneer Woman.  If you haven't read it, I seriously suggest you do!  It's an excellent, easy read.  She also has a blog that is filled with excellent recipes.

After reading the book, I felt very inspired to tell the story of Jerry and I. 

In the summer of 2006 I decided to get serious about my golf game.  I saved up my babysitting money and purchased a brand new set of  Wilson's Fat Shaft golf clubs.  When I went shopping, I had the pro's watch my swing.  Turns out I have a very strong, fast swing.  As a result, the pro's recommended I purchase a senior men's set of clubs.  I'm not really sure why, but this made me feel super cool.  I was ready to go!  New golf clubs-check, cute golf bag--check, red golf tees--check,  flamingo head cover--check, golf shoes, khaki shorts, polo shirt, and matching hat-- check!  At the time, my parents had a membership to Shady Valley Golf Course.  I was able to go play or hit balls whenever I wanted.  Looking back, I did not take full advantage of this. 

One day, I decided I needed to work on my swing so I went up to Shady Valley to hit some balls at the driving range. I drove myself in my awesome 1995 Ford Taurus. 

  I pranced down to the range with my matching outfit and bucket of golf balls in hand.  To my surprise there was a very cute guy hitting balls too.  He was wearing a pair of khaki shorts, orange polo shirt, and golf hat.  My stomach dropped.  I thought to myself, "Who is this guy?"  I strategically placed myself a couple of spots away from mystery boy.  I didn't want to be too forward by selecting the spot right next to him, but didn't want to close the door for conversation by selecting a spot too far away.  I began stretching and taking a few practice swings.  The entire time wondering who this cute boy at the driving range was.  I thought to myself, maybe he'll see how great I am at golf and ask me to play a round with him!

It was time to show off--- I mean, the pro's said I had an excellent swing that required seniors men's clubs... I go through my usual pre-swing rituals--- stretch neck, shrug shoulders, wiggle knees up and down.  I was ready to show the mystery boy my beautiful swing!  I took the club back, swung it fast and hard, and completely topped the ball.  For those of you who are not familiar with golf terms, this typically means you looked up to see where the ball went before you even hit the ball.  The result of topping of golf ball is a horrible whacking sound and the ball basically goes 15 feet in front of you. 

Alright.... take two.  That was my first swing, so what if I topped it.  I was bound and determined to show off my skills to the mystery boy.  Once again, I went through my pre-swing rituals, to the club back, and topped it again.  In my head, I'm screaming, "What the heck! Those stupid pro's sold me the wrong clubs!"  This went on for several strokes, until I started slicing the the ball.  A slice is when you make contact with the ball but it curves way to the right.  This is usually a result of your swing getting sloppy and leaving the head of the club open. 

Meanwhile, the mystery boy is hitting each ball perfectly and finishing up his bucket.  In a pathetic attempt to start conversation, I commented on the weather.  It was one of those dirty dancing moments... you know where Baby says, "I carried a watermelon."  Mystery boy was not interested in talking.

He went on to play a round of golf, while I stayed at the driving range cursing the pro's that sold me the new clubs (it was all their fault that I couldn't hit the ball- haha), blaming the weather, wondering if mystery boy thought I was an idiot.