Going Steady!.....part II

Never would we date again and break up only once for a couple of hours, our junior year in high school. We were as different as could be, but exactly what God knew we would need. Mike was a hardworking, intelligent, honor student/ athlete. I was a fun loving, silly, creative type that loves to talk! We were inseperable. Always talking on the phone, passing notes or writing letters (which we still have).

We graduated from high school in 1973. Mike, an outstanding football player, was offered scholarships to U of Texas, Baylor but accepted a full ride to the U of Houston ( mainly because of Coach Don Todd, who he still loves like family). Mike was excited to be a Houston Cougar and with my greatest ambition being to be by his side, I enrolled and was accepted by the 'hair on my chinny chin chin'. That fall of '73 was fun, eye opening, life changing and difficult especially when Mike's dad, Don Spradlin, died in a tragic plane crash. He was a good man, that we will never stop missing. It was sad time for Mike and his mother Joyce, but he found comfort in his new family, the freshman football team and coaches at UH. We still have a signed football they presented to him after the game he hurried back to play in. I made him laugh, washed his clothes, went to his games and ran downstairs to the snack bar every night to get him and roomate Kevin Rollwage, a bedtime snack. Two cheeseburgers and two chocolate shakes. Each! .....every night.

Mike had a great college career.

Christmas 1975, our engagement became official. Can you imagine my excitement? My sister, Lynnette, also engaged and I excitedly began to dream of a double wedding the following Christmas. Our church would be beautifully decorated. We have all the same family and friends....it would be perfect! Our mother was delighted. Mike, overhearing our conversation, quickly informed me that our wedding would have to be after the 1977 Cotton Bowl Classic, because the Houston Cougars would be playing in it!