It was the very beginning of the summer following our 8^th grade year.  My best friend, Debi Lanier (Barnett), decided to show my tiny little wallet sized school picture to her friend, Terry Pedigo, at church one Sunday.  Little did she know, that she was “introducing” him to his future bride…me!  She couldn’t wait to call and tell me about his response to seeing my picture and that I HAD to meet him…”I know he will like you!” she said, “When he saw your picture he asked…Who is this?!” I have to admit that I was definitely flattered that this cute guy from our rival school district was interested in me, but also a bit shy about it all. 

On a Saturday soon to follow, Debi’s Sunday School Department at Central Baptist Church in Port Arthur, Texas, was having a picnic and she invited me to come.  She just knew that Terry would be there and she wanted me to meet him.  This fourteen year old girl…being painfully shy, did NOT want to go.  I made up every excuse I could think of but none would do.  Debi would not take no for an answer so…I went along.

Almost immediately after Debi’s dad dropped us off, Terry put a plan into action in order to get my attention…jumping, repeatedly, from the second story staircase located on the outside of the old educational building…riding a child size tricycle all around and on and on…You get the idea…  It worked, as I watched and enjoyed his attention. He was so cute and funny and outgoing and…well…I was a bit smitten.

After a feast of hot dogs and snow cones, it was time for some games.  While playing a friendly game of Knock Hockey, we were in need of a fourth player to join us at the game table.  Terry happened to be in the middle of a game of horse shoes nearby, along with several of the girls in the group.  When he heard that we needed another player to fill the spot next to me, he dropped the horse shoe and here he came…much to the dismay of the group of girls. Did I tell you, he was really cute?!! As we began to play the game, Terry’s hand accidently touched mine and that was IT!  I didn’t hear music play or anything quite that dramatic, but there was just something about that touch.  I couldn’t explain it and still can’t, but there was just something special there.

Next they announced we were going to play a game of softball!  Now, if you know me, you know that I am NOT a natural athlete at all.  I couldn’t believe I was going to have to play!  Unfortunately, I didn’t have a temporary disability like a finger in a splint or something that would allow me to just sit on the sideline and cheer them on…oh no, I had to play. Now wouldn’t you know that Terry was chosen to be one of the team captains and, of course, chose me FIRST to be on his team?  Well, I just knew this was going to ruin everything for sure!  There was no way that he was going to like me after this.  NO WAY!  I mean, I close my eyes when the ball comes my way and batting…well…that’s another story all its’ own.  Fortunately, Terry was a great sport about it all and even took advantage of the opportunity to “help” me with some hands-on instruction on how to best hold the bat.  Honestly I have no idea what the score was at the end of the game, but I certainly felt as if I had won that day!  

As we ended the game and it was time to head home, Terry’s dad, the wonderful man that my grandson is now named for, Henry Allen Pedigo, pulled up to the curb to pick Terry up…now remember…we were just fourteen years old!  Before Terry closed the car door, he stopped and asked if they could give me a ride home.  I thanked him and said Debi’s dad would be there soon.  As they drove away, Debi looked at me with eyes wide, and said “He really likes you! He never offers anyone a ride home!” Later that evening, I sat and told my mom all about this great guy I had met, who happened to be a Port Neches-Groves Indian. She smiled and said “Hmmm, you may just have a bunch of little Indians one day.”  And we did just that…years later…we had three precious “little Indians”.  And that is how it all began, so many years ago…

How blessed am I to have had such a wonderful young man fall for me at such a tender age and love me until the day God suddenly called him to Heaven…I know and trust that God knows best but…it was much too soon if you ask me…much too soon…

Debbie Pedigo

April 9, 2014