After

Just like Gideon, I asked the Lord for 3 confirmations.

The first was for 3 people who didn't attend the retreat to tell me in no uncertain terms I had met my wife.

The second was for Mable to be attracted to me without me having to be 'The Man' or mack to her (hit her with smooth lines)

The last was for her to ask me if I was going to marry her.

May was a month that never had significant meaning for me. As a high schooler, May was just the month before we got out of school. In college, however, it was the month we went home and I liked it for that. However, the Lord decided this month, He would ordain it in our hearts and memories.

On May 3rd, 1996, my good ol' BSU adviser/elder/good friend Bennie Wade and I hopped into his Ford Escort and went to Jackson to run a few errands. Ketia Shumaker, a good friend as well, went along for the ride. Wade needed to pick up a few supplies for the annual BSU picnic, being held at Natchez State Park outside of the historic town Natchez, Miss. And he informed me since Mable WAS the state BSU queen, she could attend the picnic, at no charge. As BSU president, I didn't want to allocate funds for my personal gain, but the Lord comforted me and told me 'Yes.'

After a short conversation in late April, Mable agreed to come to 'The Corn' and hang out with the BSU folks there.

Wade, Ketia and I talked about everything on our way up to Jackson, then heading west to Greenville. Ketia came along so she could meet 'my wife.'

We arrived in humid Greenville about 6 that evening. I got to see Mable, who was sporting a 'JESUS - The choice of a Saved Generation' Tee and some windpants and the UGLIEST patent leather sneakers I have ever seen. We traveled to her mom's work (I got a chance to meet her and her dad) and then we went to Pizza Hut.

While I scarfed down a few pieces of pizza, Mable and Ketia were sending me on errands - often - to get them drinks or napkins. As soon as we finished the meal, Bennie handed me the money. Quietly, Ketia and Bennie slipped out, leaving Mable and me to talk about life.

As we traveled down a dark Highway 61 toward Vicksburg, Mable and I sat in the backseat of the Escort together, talking like we had known each other for years. I didn't want to come on to her - yes, I knew she was the one, but ... was it just my emotions getting the best of me?

The morning after dropping Ketia and Mable off at Ketia's dorm, Mable called me to let me know she wanted to dine in the cafeteria. Ketia had called me the night before and we met EARLY that morning. As hard as Ketia tried to pry, she didn't have any good information on Mable. As far as she could tell, Mable was DEFINITELY NOT INTERESTED in me. Cool.

Back to the cafe - I got breakfast and gave it to Mable. As I looked at her, I was mesmerized. She was nice, intelligent, loved airplanes, and FINE. I mean a pretty woman to gaze at. Anyhow, after she finished breakfast, we went to the steps of Alcorn State's Chapel to wait for our ride to the picnic. Of course we talked, but the convo got very interesting to say the least.

Mable looked at me (she refused to sit on the steps, but I didn't) and walked along the sidewalk in front of the chapel.

"Willie, where is your fiancee' from?" she asked, smiling at me.

I didn't dare retreat from the question - I looked at her in her pretty brown eyes and beamed back. "She's from the Delta and ... she's not my fiancee' ... yet.'

Mable nodded and walked into the street. "I tell you, Willie, when I get married, I want you to officiate at my wedding. Ok?"

I did a double take at her. What was she hinting at? Did she know?

I looked at her and sighed. The early morning humidity was probably affecting her brain, obviously. "Well, Mable, I will most definitely be at your wedding, but I doubt I will be officiating."

In the back of my mind, I knew the obvious, but I denied it. Mable dropping hints about marriage - the way we talked to each other. I was in the infamous 'Friend' zone. Oh well ...

The BSU Picnic was awesome. Good food, BBQ and our famous Southern Hospitality filled the air, but couldn't dissuade my thoughts of Mable. I found myself staring at her - everyone except her at the picnic knew she was 'The One The Lord Had Told Me Was My Wife.' I had even testified in the campus chapel service I had met my wife, that is how sure I was of the matter.

As I walked around the picnic, some of the men in our group decided to go canoeing. I asked Mable if she would be honored to ride in my boat. She accepted, and we walked toward the lake. On the way, we chatted about Alcorn, the BSU, and life in general. I asked her if she was still passionate about the Air Force, but she was indifferent. She felt herself losing interest in the military, and her older sister, Andrill, noticed that as well.

When we got into our canoe and paddled (I paddled, she sat in front, facing me, her huge life jacket nearly slipping off because of her size), Mable looked off to the beautiful horizon and asked me a question.

"Hay Will?"

"What's up, Mable?"

"Can you tell me about your vision again?"

I didn't think much about her question. "The one in which I die in Iraq?"

A pause.

"No, the one about the dress."

I smiled. "Well, it's green ... bright green, with white on it and white trim. Do you have a dress like that?"

Silence.

On our way to Greenville (I had a preaching engagement on Sunday, May 5) Mable and I talked about any and everything. Communication skills, check. When we made it, our taxi, Trevia and her boyfriend at the time, Tim, dropped us off at Mable's house safe and sound. <-- Click "sound" to continue.

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