18 Years of Happiness

Our very first high school homecoming. I was 12 years old and Ray was 16 years old, meaning I was in 8th grade (I tested out of 7th grade) and he was a junior in high school. This picture brings a smile to my face every time I see it. Ray's mom made all of my homecoming mums and each year they grew bigger than the one the year before.

I can remember my brother Freeman and his wife Sandra coming to the house to video Ray coming over and placing the mum on my dress. My sisters were on the couch or on the stairs watching everything as it was videoed. Ray's parents even came over to be a part of all the excitement.

I was excited and nervous to attend homecoming for the first time and be surrounded by all of Ray's friends for the first time. We had a wonderful time at the party, took our pictures, and ate at a little restaurant off of Westheimer in downtown Houston.