Big Dividends-----A Quarter To True Love

Yesterday this letter arrived in the mail. I'm so used to getting junk mail that I didn't even check the mail yesterday. Then this morning I had the sweetest surprise that reduced me to a puddle of sobs while stirring the gravy on the stove.

"Dear Bailey

I do not know if you remember me. It has been since 1982 that I saw you last. At that time, my name was [Shelly Harper] and your name...Well I guess you would know that. Anyhow, we were at [certain college]. Well, if you remember, the men's club put on an auction. They sold themselves for a day.

I had a boyfriend in Houston at the time and was not planning to go to the event. I often wonder why you felt the need to get me to go despite all my reasons not to. (I already had a boyfriend was the biggest) but you insisted that it would not hurt to go. (then there was that I had not done laundry and the only clothes I had were a tacky pair of high water jeans and a tee shirt) you insisted that no one cared and besides they did not look that bad.) So I guess on your persistence I decided to go. In a ddition, even though I was not going to buy any one you insisted that I bring all my cash. It amounted to a grand total of $6.25.

So you had gotten me there with money which was a monumental task in itself. Something only you could do. However, you did not stop there. Once there you proceeded to remind me that my boyfriend told me that he wanted me to date at college and it would not hurt to buy someone for a day and have them do something. Got me to musing about the things I could have him do. Then the curtain went up and showed all the men. To be honest I really did not think I could buy anyone for $6.25 anyhow so I decided that it would not hurt to bid. As they showed each one individually, I bid some. Then [Danny Swade] was on the auction block. You said, "Oh, bid for him, he's nice but a little shy." By this time, I'd gotten into the spirit of the night so I bid. There was another girl bidding on [Danny]. She had red hair and I don't remember her name but it started with an M. Her last bid was $6.25.

A little relieved, I said, "Well she has him--I'm out of cash." You slapped 25 cents in my hand and said "Bid!" I did and purchased [Danny Swade] for $6.50. He was so nice to me the week before the actual slave day, so I just had him put up a towel rack in our room. We became friends, he understood that I had a boyfriend in Houston and he claimed that he had a girlfriend also.

You and I remained friends for teh remainder of the year. Then since I didn't return I lost track of you. I often wondered how you were doing and what made you so persistent in having me buy [Danny]. You know you are famous in my family. My children have heard this story many times when I tell others how [Danny] and I met.
It was the best buy I ever made. My children often ask me if I ever gave you teh 25 cents back. I really do not recall so I will send it to you now with interest.

I married [Danny] Jan 2, 1983 in ______, CA where I grew up. We lived in Houston from 1982-1997 and had two sons, born in 1989 and 1993. We moved to _______KS and lived there until this last year....

Now we live in _______, TX of all places. I work as a nurse. [Danny] works at ________Manufacturing putting 3D drawings of the things they are to build into the computers and helping in the office.....

Believe it or not we have a common friend, ________. I was telling her the story of how [Danny] and I met. That is how I got your address.

With Much Love
[Shelly Swade]"

The names have been changed to protect the guilty. :)

This was posted at SongRamp on my blog there March 29, 2009.  Since then I've met my friend and her husband of 27 years.  We had a wonderful visit and though I've missed a lot.  She made me feel like I hadn't missed a beat with our friendship.