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Saturday, April 10, 2010

To David + Linda

Before I tell you the story of David and Linda I would like to give you the thoughts and dreams that Linda planted in her heart a few years ago:

I know a very lovely girl
Her name is Linda Lue
I've watched her through her growing years
The things she'd say and do.

I've known the thoughts down in her heart
The future she was seeking
The many plans and dreams she's built
And placed them in safe keeping.

She told me someday -- somewhere
Her someone she would find
That he'd be tall and special
Just for her designed!

A marriage in the temple
Would be their crowning glory
That someday has arrived now,
Listen to their story.

David and Linda:

So here is the story of David and Linda
It's one that you won't forget
The mother of David and the grandmother of Linda
Got it started before they met.

They would meet at church in Hinckley
Each Tuesday at ten the occasion
And somehow David and Linda
Would end up in their conversation.

David was serving his mission
And really making great stride
Linda in the "Days of '47 Royalty"
This was her grandmother's pride.

One day the mother of David
Sent a picture of this in a letter
For a thought in her heart kept saying,
"Well, who could do any better?"

Now she wondered how he would react to this
So she got up the courage to ask it
"Dear Mom, in reply to your question,
That picture went in the waste basket."

"Just cool it and don't mention girls to me,
I've my mission and school to get through
Remember, I have my plans all laid out,
I'll get married in '72!"

Well, months rolled along and the leaves on the trees
Began to turn amber to gold
On a crisp Sunday morning from a certain church bench
These words were whispered I'm told:

"Did you know Linda's invited David to have dinner with her today?"
(Both Linda and David
Were now at the "Y"
Intending the next few years to stay.)

When Linda's mother heard this,
She made a quick long-distance call
Perhaps just to give her some tips on her dinner
Cause you know Linda just can't cook at all.

But to her surprise when she called her she learned
That David wasn't invited
"I don't even know David Ekins," said Linda,
"Too bad you got so excited."

Suddenly her parents planned to drive up
And see her even though it was late
But when they got there the apartment was bare
Linda was out on a blind date.

Some things are stranger than fiction,
Do thoughts travel through the air?
Do words formulate in somebody's heart,
Does someone above put them there?

Some may ponder these questions,
Others may call it fate
But Linda had now met her someone
October 13, 1968.

The start of a special courtship
Of soft glances, a red garter, a scared rabbit
The start of meaningful handclasps
Of dating become a habit.

He promised to send her at Thanksgiving time
A mushy letter so sweet
But when she opened the letter
No words, just dry cream of wheat.

And just to show you the strength they had
When final exams came due
Two sensible kids decided to part
Til their tests were finished and through.

No matter how lonely nor long the days
They would not even call on the phone
So with aching hearts they said their goodbyes
They would spend the next five days alone.

By the time the third day was ending
"Pure misery" was what David thought
So he started scheming and planning
He came up with a cunning thought.

He told it to Linda's roommate
"Now make sure, just before she gets home
Just spray it lavishly all through her room."
Then he gave her his favorite cologne.

When Linda walked in her room that night
She felt his presence near
She looked in the closet, under her bed,
And asked, "Has David Been Here?"

Drunk from the fumes of his Elsha,
Mad at his idea of joking
She started to dial his number
She wanted to love him or choke him.

When winter snows were waiting to melt
And robins were waiting to sing
David too, was waiting
To give his girl a ring.

He knew the next step he must take
The very first chance he had
He'd better drive to Delta
And call upon her dad.

The day was cold and chilly
His heart and feet were too
So sister Kathryn offered help
She'd show him what to do.

She'd get him an appointment
She'd tell him what to say
But Albert in his business
Was tied up for the day.

David finally found the direction
He got there just in time
To back his car up -- turn around
And join the procession line.

His thoughts were very sobering
His face was stern and set
His countenance was fitting
No one should object.

He parked his car one lot away
One hour and a quarter he waited
At last -- just Mr. Nickle left
And then -- he hesitated.

He'd rehearse again what he would say
Not a soul now to distract
Correction -- not a person --
Would perhaps be more exact.

He coaxed himself out of the car
Started speaking of the weather
He talked about the good times
He and Linda had together.

Then he started blurting out the words
For too long now he'd tarried
Mr. Nickle, I'm in love, I've got a ring
And I want to get married.

Mission now completed
He started on his way
Only one thing now that bothered him,
What did Mr. Nickle say?

He hurried back to Linda
To release this cherished secret
The ring was buried in his pocket
No longer could he keep it.

He chose a special setting
And in the stillness of the air
He placed it on her finger
That night in Temple Square.

She knew someday she'd find him
And this is their story thus far
He found her and she found him
And oh! How lucky they are!

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