Uncertainty evaporated
Gary’s journeyed from Groveland to his sister Nancy’s residence in Columbia, discovering an aura of tranquility, just him and a magnificent Border Collie named Kizzie, the serenity a change from the assembled congregation of grandkids visiting his sister Kay. The return to Columbia enabled a return to the internet and a resumption of his NASDAQ day trading, plus an opportunity to visit with his ICQ acquaintances. Gary’s dog sitting duties coming to an end with his sister and mom’s return and with Kay’s grandkids still camped at the cottage, he decided to remain in Columbia for the time being. Having established over 48 ICQ acquaintances there was an inaugural lady that he had an ongoing repose with since initiating ICQ that really intrigued him, her name was Fran and she lived in Orlando Florida. The two having maintained a steady correspondence on ICQ, Gary totally enjoying their conversing, finding the lady captivating with her knowledge of about any subject discussed, her total recall for dates, places and events and inherent proclivity for the music. Gary not really giving thought of meeting Fran with the distance to Florida somehow seeming like half way around the world, but taking notice that their online relationship was beginning to developed into something more than conversation, an inner feeling from within began raising to surface. Gary still somewhat hesitant about traveling from California to Florida, it wasn’t like he could jump in the car and visit, it would entail planning by both as Fran would have to arrange for time off from work and to keep down the cost he would have to have to schedule airline reservations at least two weeks in advance. It was when he received an email picture of her and the grandkids that all uncertainty evaporated, the decision to fly to Florida was made.
Fran’s House on Granada Drive, Orlando
The circumstances were rather unusual, Gary having made reservations with United Airlines to fly out of SFO at 10:00 a.m. on Monday July 16th., what was unusual was that July 15th was Fran’s birthday as well as his sister Kay. Gary addressing the occasion wiring Fran flowers but somewhat curious that his brother-in-law Don was at his mother’s in San Mateo rather than in Groveland for his wife’s birthday. Don having offered to drop Gary off at the San Francisco airport on his way to work, Gary driving late Sunday afternoon to San Mateo to spend the night at Don’s mother residence, the Florida bound not wanting to leave the Buick at the SFO long-term parking. The United flight to east coast having a plane change in Houston arriving after dark in Orlando. Gary disembarking walking down the United Airlines galley-way into the terminal not knowing what to expect having never met Frances Marion Wilcoxson. Watching the debarking passengers clear, standing by a post was the picturesque lady looking absolutely like her photograph. The long acquainted two finally getting to meet, on their way to the car rental, Fran mentioning how her daughter Jeanette gave her a lecture about meeting someone whom she met on the internet and was reluctant to leave her mother alone at the airport. Gary assuring that he understood her daughter apprehension, questioning if she had received the flowers that he had sent the day before for her birthday as it was a Sunday. The two newly acquainted proceeding to Fran’s residence on Granada Drive in Winter Park a small suburban town northeast of Orlando. Arriving Gary introduced and accepted by Sammi, Fran’s ‘deer ‘Chihuahua, discovering the lady was an inherent canine person which was a plus, he soon realized that she was everything and maybe more than he had expected.
Fran – everything & more
Liz Loreti- Dollar Tree Manager
Gary was just as impressed with Fran in person as online, finding comfort in her demeanor and address to life. Her employment responsibility at Dollar Tree was put on hold to accompany his stay, Gary being introduce to the store manager Liz Loreti, whom had nothing but accolades for her. Gary very much aware of the round trip ticket date, an urgency building within to convey to Fran who and what he was as a person, it was difficult but searching within he found a solution. Driving through the business district of Orlando, he took notice of a sign, Orlando Piano, parking, the couple entering, Gary asking the proprietor if it was alright to try out some of the models, the two venturing thru the displayed pianos, the sales person nodding his approval to play any of the stores inventory. Gary seated before the keyboard of a baby grand, the music of Andy Williams hit More coming forth, followed by the Impossible Dream, the pianist at ease with Fran standing beside him performing his proclivity on the keyboard. The pianist giving her a presentation of the inner feeling than only music can express, songs of remembrance from their youth, the storied epics of love, a grand finale with the Chariots of Fire. To his surprise the staff and customers at the store applauding, Gary suspecting that they knew what he was up too, acknowledging the couple on their departure. Gary was surprised when discovering Sunday Church was an integral part of Fran’s life, the two attending the local Baptist Church, Gary finding solace again, having neglected this most important celebrate of life, because of his inherent life in Groveland and Columbia. Both his sister’s, Katherine and Nancy proclaiming to be agnostic, using this for his failure to attend church during his stay at both premises, recognizing he had become abortive of his faith.
Laney, Jeanette, Trent and Corrina front and center.
Space Shuttle Discovery – July 27, 1999 ST-96 launch
Gary’s round trip reservation return trip date about to arrive, a decision was made to postpone the event, an overwhelming desire to spend more time with Fran. The ensuing week found the two engulfed in conversation of reality, both experiencing a inner feeling that they were destined to be together plus her family an added influence for Fran to move westward. Her oldest daughter Jeanette and two grandchildren having made a decision to move to John Day Oregon, another daughter Donna and family having already taking up residence there. The dawning Florida evenings would find the two sitting outside exchanging memories of years past with each other, a coherent understanding of life being accorded and during one night attention given to the night sky, the glowing fiery trail of a launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery from the Kennedy Spaceport could be observed in the Orlando July 27th night sky. Gary now quite positive having seen a sign in the sky, a proposal of matrimony being extended and with Fran’s acceptance, Friday July 30th was decided upon.
With this ring I do thee wed
The July 30 1999 morning sun welcomed the inauguration of a special day for Gary Michael Willson and Frances Marion Wilcoxson. The couple leaving the Winter Park Granada Drive residence journeying to 325 North Orange Ave., Suite #355 in Orlando’s Orange County Courthouse. Entering the matrimonial office, Fran’s employment store manager Liz waiting their arrival, her enthusiasm blossoming for the event that was about to unfold. Gary seeing that the formality of contractual papers and license fee’s were fulfilled, the couple not the only ones to be joined in matrimonial union, a waiting period commencing for two other couples.. A door opened and a joyous couple accompanied by several guests who exited , Gary, Fran and Liz entering the specially designated room for the ceremony, a state authorize matrimonial clerk with the title Justice Of The Peace introducing herself informing them she was to perform the acceptance of the wedding vows. Gary and Fran standing on a raised arbor platform before the Justice of the Peace, with the banding of rings, both emitting the effervescence of the ceremony as they were pronounced husband and wife. Surprisingly Liz was the emotional one, Gary realizing that Liz valued Fran friendship far more than just a loyal employee. The climatic ceremony fulfilled having no other functions to proclaim the couple returning to their parked rental car, but upon approaching the car Gary noticed a slip of paper beneath the wiper blade discovering a police citation, the rental having been ticketed for an expired license tag , the two finding a little humor to start their first hour of marriage.
County Courthouse Orlando
You may kiss the Bride
Gary, Liz & Fran
The couple having discussed the pro’s and con’s of remaining in Florida or moving to California, Gary letting the decision rest with Fran, but knowing that Fran’s daughter Donna and her family was now residing in Oregon and her eldest Daughter Jeanette and her two children having just left for the eastern Oregon town. Gary was understanding, realizing that Fran was sacrificing years of effort, leaving her home, friends and an established life placing a blind trust in someone she had corresponded with for over a year but in person for only two weeks Fran having acquired many friends during her employment at the Dollar Tree store, among them were those which she called the scooter brigade, a proud group of elderly people whom traversed in electric scooter chairs to provide their shopping chores. Upon hearing of Fran’s Marriage and that she would soon depart the scooter brigade made an appearance, the couple being invited to Richard and his friend Christie’s small apartment for dinner. The elderly couple providing a delightful meal, Gary couldn’t help but smile noting the jars filled with individual packaged condiments, salt, pepper, sugar, mustard, ketchup and other complementary supplements provided by fast food establishments, lightheartedly understanding there were many with disabilities and retirement age stressed with deficit financial burdens.
24 Ft. Budget Rental
The moving endeavor beginning in earnest the newlyweds deciding on a yard sale to reduce some of Fran’s accumulated household item. The yard sale having little response from the ad placed in the paper, Fran’s landlord purchasing the appliances and yard equipment. Gary proceeding to the Budget Rental Complex north of town, judging that a 16 ft box van should hold all the household goods. With the help of Richard, who conveniently rose from his motorized wheelchair to help, the loading began but there was a problem, Gary had misjudged the amount of furnishings, it became apparent the 16 foot truck was too small. The only alternative was to get a larger truck, the 16 ft. rental already three-quarter full would have to be returned, the Florida hot August afternoon temperature influencing his decision. Gary driving the partially loaded truck back to budget, explaining the situation, the Budget complex manager agreeing to have the load transferred to a 24 ft truck, but for a loading price, but what could one say, it was the only game in town. Loading the remaining articles, Gary understood what it was like to say farewell to a part of your life.
Inquisitive Quest 
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