The story of Andy and Lela's first meeting - Part II continued (See Andres Vigil for Part I) by Bessie Vigil...

The car slowed to a stop, "I guess we have arrived at the dance," I said.

"Say, I'll get the door." As I reached across to open the side door I could smell her perfume. It was wonderful! A mix of spring flowers so warm and inviting.
"We're here." Nash exclaimed as he jerked open the door.

"Oh man, I forgot my hat, say, Kid could you keep an eye on my sister? I'll be right back." It was my pleasure! Lela blushed, then she smiled, and what a smile! I smiled back, and as she stepped out of the car I stole a glance at her legs. She was wearing stockings with the line up the back of her leg, they were perfect and so was the line in the stocking. As we waited outside, I noted that she was looking around. "What are you looking for?" "Someone I was to meet here. Oh, there he is!" A tall skinny guy walked up to us.

"Hi Ben, nice meeting you here."
"Hi Lela, how are you? Nice night for a dance. Who is your friend?"
"This is a friend of my brother. I only know him as Kid."

I interjected, "Marty Kid Max, nice to meet you Ben." Ben looked puzzled. "Marty Kid Max the boxer" I said. Ben's eyebrows rose in surprise and whispered: "the boxer" as sweat started to bead on his face. With that I turned to Lela and said, "Shall we go inside."
I reached for her arm and as we went inside I looked around for an empty table. Finding one, I held the chair out for her and she looked around and asked, "Where is Ben?" "Oh sister, you are with me now."
"Okay, Kid, who are you? Who is Marty Kid Max?" she exclaimed rather hotly.

I smiled the most charming smile I could muster. "Hi Lela, my name is Andy. It is my greatest pleasure to meet you!" As the night went on we danced and talked getting to know each other. Over the next few months, it was great. It was as if our hearts were welded into one.

Forty-seven years together as husband and wife seems like a long time to some people, but to me it was just a like a wink. A life well spent, the love we shared was as easy as breathing for me. Truly a wonderful gift from God. The winters were cold and the summers were hot on our Colorado home, but my love for my Lela was never cold – it was constant and steady all throughout my life: constant through the Great Depression, a World War and other life changing events. As a bonus we were blessed with 18 children. Some we got to raise and some we didn't. I loved them all; they were part of me and my Lela. Proof of the desire we had for each other! We enjoyed them through bad times and through good times. Like the days of our life, each day was never the same as the last. We enjoyed each child as they came to us to care and to love.

Bittersweet were the times when I had to leave my sweetheart. But it was not for very long, only for a short while. My time on earth had run out. I had to leave this earth and leave my sweetheart behind. Two years later, Lela's broken heart gave out and we were reunited together forever in paradise.
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Written by Bessie Vigil