Thirty years ago the trailing spouse got his first computer. Twenty years ago - he used his first Mac while working on a science project at Florida State University. Ever since then - computers have been a big part of his life. When he bought his first 300 baud modem - the world of e-mail opened up to him - even though he and Al Gore hadn't officially opened the Internet to the general public. So Harry was "all dressed up with nowhere to go" with his new toys.
Lulu was busy helping the world "computerize" school libraries. She used to proudly carry her complete library card catalog on a 5 megabyte hard drive the size of breadbox. While attending a library convention - she met Sally. Sally was also a computer nerd and had a computer and modem. Back home - Lulu leanred about this free 800 telephone number that you could dial with your computer and receive and send something called email.
Lulu rushed home with this news. Harry hooked the family computer up to the telephone and dialed the number. After a series of very strange sounds - like magic the computer was "talking" to another computer. After following directions on how to set up a mail box - they saw the message from heaven - "you have mail." Sally had left Harry a message. For the next several years Harry and Sally emailed each other almost everyday. Since we didn't know anyone else with "email" we got to know a lot about each other.
We talked about school - hobbies - cars - but mostly about sports - namely college football. I found out that Sally was one of the biggest Penn State fans. My stories about Seminole football and Bobby Bowden were a common interest. Her Nittany Lions had Joe Paterno who was ancient even back them.
It was years before we met for the first time at a basketball game. Leter we meet at an Apple Computer Convention in New York City. Sally was a surprise guest at my retirement party. We became really good friends. One night when Florida State was playing Penn State in the Orange Bowl - we stood outside the stadium with fingers in the air looking for tickets. We sat on the sidelines in row one - and sat through several overtimes to see Penn State win. So all in all we met 4 or 5 times.
Sally always admired Bobby Bowden. She said she wanted to see FSU play in a game at Doak and also hear Bobby speak at his luncheon. We decided she would visit last weekend to see the game. Sally would fly into TLH Airport - spend a few nights in our guest house and see Coach Bowden speak and maybe get an autograph and picture.
Sally arrived in town Friday night after a hard day's work at school. Harry's job was to get tickets - a major task of trying to get four good seats together for a reasonable price. Son - Keith - was flying into town from Washington for the game. Son - Drew - wanted to come from Syracuse in the worst way but he was busy starting a family of his own. He would watch the FSU game TV with wife - Robin - and 5 month old Jack.
All week long we had been hunting for tickets on Craigslist and ebay. We even tried the Seminole Booster page. Tickets were priced in the hundreds for four seats together. Son Drew is an Internet whiz. Even though he was in Syracuse - while we were touring the Capitol - Wakulla Springs - several museums - Drew's eyes were glued to the computer screen.
Saturday morning Drew called to say Peter who lives in Southwood was willing to sell us four extra seats together. Peter was very concerned that whoever sat in the seats must be FSU fans. The thoughts of a con job went through our minds.
I rushed out to Southwood to Peter's house. Peter was very nice and was happy to see me wearing FSU garb. Peter decided that it was bad luck to sell the tickets ----- so he gave them to me for FREE. I expected a strong arm heist - and met a compassionate soul.
Sally got to experience a Doak tailgate party. We sat on the 35 yard line - half way up. It poured during our party and during most of the game. The good karma from Peter giving up the tickets did not hold. The Gators pounded us.
Monday morning - we took Sally to the bookstore. She bought a bunch of FSU gifts for friends and family. She bought a little helmet hoping that Bobby Bowden would sign it. We got to the luncheon early and got seats right up in front to see Bobby speak. Bobby walked in and personally said "Hi" to us as he walked to his chair. He didn't look too happy - maybe had a hint of a cold - but he was gracious throughout lunch and his talk. Sally was so impressed especially when I told her that he preaches at a local church sometimes.
Sadly - Bobby announced that he had to leave early to go recruiting. There would be no autographs. No one knew that Sally's little helmet was on the floor by her chair. She just passed it off as bad karma.
Not only did Bobby have promises to keep. Sally's plane awaited and the next day she would be back at her school desk wearing an FSU pullover. Life would go on for both Harry and Sally. Emails travel much faster now. We can even send pictures and video to each other.
You experience joy and sadness in your friends' eye. Harry only met Sally a couple of times in his life - but in this last weekend - these two FSU fans continued a 20 year relationship/affair that only friends can understand.
Sally left the little helmet in the car. Here's hoping I see Bobby on the street some day - I will tell him the story of "How Harry Met Sally" and ask him to please sign this little helmet.
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