Happy 20th Anniversary!!!!

by Rick Johnson
(Mandeville, Louisiana)

I recall pestering a cute girl that sat in front of me in the band in Junior High School. I played the trombone, while she played the French horn. Her name was Angela Renee and I remember thinking she had a great “caboose”. We barely knew each other, but I remember that I would extend my trombone slide to poke the people in front of me and Angela was a victim of this prank many times.

Early in the 10th grade, Angela and I were “reintroduced” to each other by a mutual friend since they knew we listened to the same type of music. When we met, we put one arm around each other and we have been inseparable ever since. That next weekend was Terry’s Homecoming game and dance. We had no way of going to the dance, but I told Angela I would come to the game and listen to her play in the band. After the game, I went up to talk and tell her what a great job she did. We then shared our first kiss in the bleachers at the Lamar High School Stadium on October 17th, 1985.

We dated all through high school and shared some fantastic memories. We skipped school a few times during that period and spent those days in Houston or just hanging out where ever we could without getting caught. We were like two peas in a pod and fell deeply in love. When I went away to Sam Houston, Angela was close behind and lived with her Uncle Mike in Huntsville. We continued our relationship and decided to get married in February of 1991. We were married at the Simonton Community Church on February 8.

20 years and four kids later, we are still best friends...I love you so much Angela and I look forward to many years together.

Rick