It’s been a lot of fun this week hearing the other belles address a question taken from FIREFLY ISLAND by Lisa Wingate, la story of love at first sight that brings a city girl to a remote ranch as a modern day mail order bride. Is there an “out of the box” love story in your family?
Several weeks ago I had the privilege of speaking in a small country church where five generations of my family have worshipped. If you’re thinking I may have been emotional, you would be correct. Although regular services are no longer held at this small church built in the 1800’s, it is well kept by descendants of the May family and once a year everyone that can do so returns for a reunion/worship service. While there I was given a thick record of our family history. On the way home that afternoon, I found the following story and read it aloud to my husband. We loved it. I hope you will, too.
Many years ago my great-great-great-great grandfather, Joseph May, returned from serving in the Revolutionary War to discover that his young wife had died, leaving him with three small children. Being more confident fighting Redcoats and Indians than he was rearing children, Joseph struck a bargain with his brother who was himself due to report for duty. Joseph offered to serve in his brother’s place— if his brother and sister-in-law would take and raise his children along with their own. The brother agreed and Joseph went back to war. 
He survived, again, and traveled home anticipating a happy reunion with his children. Instead, Joseph found his kids, bedraggled, hungry and gathered around a fire in his brother’s front yard! They’d been forced to live outside while his brother’s children were cared for inside. Family history records that Joseph gave his brother a polite cussing. I’d elaborate on that for y’all but I’m not sure where the line is. Regardless, Joseph left on horseback with a promise to go get himself a wife and his children a mother.
Joseph rode straight to the home of a buddy who had died beside him in battle, fully aware his friend had left behind a wife and children of his own. Widow McLean asked Joseph to come in but the determined young man said, “Not until I tell you my business, ma’am. I’m hunting a wife. If you’re not interested, I’ll be moving on.”
Widow McLean decided on the spot that she was indeed interested. Joseph dismounted and after a brief discussion, Great great-great-great-Grandpappy left an engaged man. Now that is a record setting courtship and apparently my family’s early version of Dating #101.
Hugs,
Shellie
Shellie Rushing Tomlinson is an author, speaker, reader, and radio who admits to being a sucker for all sorts of love stories, the sweet, the sappy, and the strange. You’re invited to join her at allthingssouthern.com for more story swapping.