Here's to 40 More

40 sounds like a long time, but it seems like it was only yesterday.

Carolyn and I met in high school during a production of the Odd Couple. She was the stage manager, and I was working in the sound and lighting booth. Sitting up in a dark, blacked out lighting/sound booth, you’re able to look out and see everything happening down on the stage. We hadn't officially met, but I admired her from the quiet sound booth. I would tell my buddy who was working in the sound booth with me, that I really liked her and thought she was beautiful. She was dating another cast member at the time. Anyhow when the production wrapped up there was the closing cast party. I was hanging out, holding up a wall and just looking around the dimly lit room. I saw Carolyn across the room sitting on her boyfriend’s lap. Carolyn wanted to dance, he didn't because he wasn't feeling well. I didn't know it at the time, but he had said to Carolyn, "go ask Edgar to dance". I'll never forget watching her stand up and walking across the room in my direction. As she got closer, I noticed she wasn't turning, she was smiling, looking directly at me, and I was wondering what was happening. Maybe she was going to make a quick turn, but she kept coming towards me. She had all of 10-12 feet to cover, but at that moment It seemed like she was walking in slow motion, and 50 feet away. Maybe there was someone just over my shoulder who she was smiling at, and it just seemed like she was looking at me. I would have been ok with her walking past me. The smile alone would have made the night. The next thing I know, she's standing in front of me, smiling. I wondered if I should move to the side. Maybe I was in her way, and she just needed to pass by. And then I heard those 5 words that would change my life forever, "Would you dance with me?" I'm assuming I said yes because we did dance. I can't remember the song, but I do remember being speechless, and on cloud 9. I’m not sure I even spoke. I was fixed on those green eyes and that smile; it was a moment I'll never forget. 

Fortunately, soon after her boyfriend decided to move along. Carolyn and I quickly became great friends and then, boyfriend and girlfriend. We loved the theatre and spent much of our time going to plays and being involved with a lot of other productions. After three years of dating, we were married, and three years later we started our family.

It's been an incredible 40-year adventure. We have packed so much into those years. It seems like it flew by, but when I look back at this amazing journey, we have done so much, and created so many wonderful memories.

To be able to accomplish all of this and do so much with your best friend is just incredible. Not only is Carolyn my best friend, but she’s been my inspiration, mentor, coach, trusted business partner, and biggest supporter. She has encouraged me in everything I’ve done. Never once did she say I couldn’t accomplish or do something, but quite the opposite. I remember doing a sprint triathlon some time ago, and when I came out of the swim I was gassed. My nerves got the best of me, and I swam way too hard. I sat in transition for several minutes catching my breath and feeling defeated, wondering if I could finish. She could see the defeat on my face. She asked me, “Are you going to finish this thing, or do you want to go home?” She could tell I wanted to quit, but she knew I would regret not finishing. It was her way of motivating me to get moving, and I did, and I finished. Whether it was a major career move, training for a race or a big adventure, she’s always been there encouraging, coaching, and supporting me. When I told Carolyn I wanted a part time job at Fleet Feet making $9 an hour, she didn’t flinch. When I came home after that first day and said, “I love this place, and I don’t ever want to do anything else!” she didn’t blink. When I said we need to own a Fleet Feet, she didn’t hesitate, she just took that leap of faith with me. She believed in me; she believed in us.

Here we are 40 years later with 2 children, 4 grandchildren, 2 Fleet Feet locations, and our children living the dream with us. Something we only dreamt of and imagined at 19 and 20 when we were married. Our 40^th anniversary is this month. I’m excited to see where the next 40 takes us. What can we accomplish? What goals are we going to crush? What adventures and memories will we create? It’s going to be incredible for sure, and I couldn’t be more excited to dive into it. Here’s to 40 more amazing years, Carolyn.