by Rex Trulove

Created on: August 01, 2008

Forty years ago, I would have firmly said that love at first sight was a figment of the imagination. About ten years later, when I actually experienced it, my outlook was totally changed and my life did too.

To set the stage, at the time I was working as a head cook at a major restaurant food change. The work was challenging but monotonous. Then in 1978, I went to a tavern to enjoy a superbowl. I didn't know until well over a year later the import of that event, or the fate it foretold. For another person who also was there to see the superbowl was to become my wife, yet neither of us noticed each other. At that event, there was no love at first sight.

Fast forward a year, and I was at the same job, doing the same work, for the same people, and with the same frustrations. I'd get off work, go to a particular tavern (not the same one mentioned above), have a cold glass of beer and shoot a game of pool, then would go home.

One night, just for a change, I walked across the street to another tavern. I was in a lackluster mood, but they were running a jam session and since I play a few instruments, I decided to give it a try. I went up, picked up the guitar, and before long we were all lost in revelry. I actually didn't get home until the bar had closed!

A week later, I went into the same tavern and the manager immediately approached me, asking if I'd be willing to run the jam session. He said that the crowd had loved me, and he really wanted me to do it both on Friday and Saturday nights. Hey, I love being loved, so I accepted.

For three weeks, I ran the jam session, and to my amazement, the people really did like it. From a few people here and there when I started, by the third week and by the time I started my jam, the place was packed.

Then, one Saturday, I walked in to do my jam session. I was in a foul mood. It was one of those Murphy's Law days when everything that could go wrong, did go wrong. Little did I know that my fate was going to take a major turn, forever.

Then I saw her, sitting at the bar; a beautiful brunette with a stunning smile. But in holding with my day, she was sitting next to another gentleman. A little more depressed, difficult since I was already very depressed, I took my spot on the bandstand and started to play.

That night, my music was special. I don't know why, but there were no mis-chords, no mistakes. I played better than I'd ever played there, and every time I started to play a song, the place would go totally silent except for my playing.

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