We've Only Just Begun.

Hint: This blog may be better appreciated by cuing up the songs
on your iTunes as you read along.
You can also play Guess the Artist - Answer Key at the bottom of this post.

Cue: 1. We've Only Just Begun

Once upon a time, (that’s how all good stories start) some high school graduates headed off to College. They came from the North and the South, the East and the West. Now this was not just any college mind you, this was Bible College.
It was Central Bible College, Springfield, Missouri.

Cue: Timpanies Roll and Lightning Flashes.


C.B.C. was the land of the Flying Flockstra, Home of the English Opals, Beowolfe Drakes, and the Musical Swaim. And the only location of McGee’s Greek in a Week, Horton’s Follies and Harris’ 7 AM Old Testament sleepover.

Cue: Play Sabre Dance

Anxiety and anticipation were multiplying as every car unloaded another new student. Luggage and foot lockers were carried up flights of stairs to rooms where once Crabtrees and Suddeth/Mayos dwelt. Only freshmen were arriving … everyone was excited and wondering where to go and who they would meet. (Upper classmen would arrive later.)

Who knew that on this, the very first day of school, 2. the earth would move right under my feet? Or that this would be 3. a moment to remember?

After setting up my room and being introduced to my room mate. I found a new friend. Sammy was from Kansas City, not too far from my home town. And he was moving in next door, our rooms connected via the bathroom.

Sammy's roommate, Dave would spend the whole semester sleeping in a sleeping bag. I guess he thought he went off to Storm Lake Bible Camp. After 1 semester, Dave and his bag went back home. Camp wasn't as much fun as Dave remembered. (4. Momma told him not to come.)


Sammy and I decided that it was time to check out our new campus. Now, we really weren’t interested in the landscaping.

5. Hello, I love you, won't you tell me your name?

We headed toward a big white building, we looked in and saw the nice new shiny wood floor, when the wind changed, (Whew!)we knew we were in the gym. No one was shooting hoops that day, so we moved on.

Next, we heard the sound of beautiful music coming from one of the rooms near by. We followed the sound up the stairs.

Cue: Piano playing - 6. It Won't Be Long

We peeped in the small window of every door; in each room was an upright piano. We climbed more stairs until we found the room where the music was coming from. Sammy and I opened up the door and we both sat on each side of the piano bench with the most beautiful girl in the world. We were totally uninvited guests, but this young lady seemed to enjoy our company.

Cue: Background Music, Play softly - 7. Close to You

Her name was Janet. She was from Alabama. And with every word she spoke, a song was sung. (Music: Why do birds suddenly appear, everytime you are near?) In just a few more sentences, Sammy took off. Janet and I talked some more.

That was Friday.
On that same day, we tried out for Revivaltime Choir ...Together.
On Friday night we went roller skating and sang oldies… Together.
8. Dream, Dream-Dream-Dream! AKA All I Have To Do Is Dream
On Saturday, we went to Fantastic Caverns ... Together.
On Sunday ... we went to Central Assembly Together!

On Monday we went to class… Apart! Ugh!
After three great days, Jan wanted to check out ...the landscape.

That’s when I learned that 9.One is the loneliest number that you’ll ever do.

Oh the torment, as she went through the motions of dating other guys. What a waste!
10. And I think I'm going out of my head.

Couldn’t she hear the voice of God?
For eight long months I watched and waited.
(I changed my cologne 6 times!)
FYI: She even looked good at 7 AM in OT Survey!

Cue: Play softly Close to You again

When we passed in the halls, she always had a smile and the smell of some intoxicating perfume. (Music: On the day that you were born the angels got together and decided to create a dream come true.)
That prefume? It was White Shoulders – I would find out later.
She traveled as the pianist for Tempos, I sang tenor in RT.
How could this ever come to be?

Then one early spring day, the opportunity arose.
It was the annual Revivaltime Banquet.

Cue: Trumpet Fanfare (Butter? Parkay!)

Bud Larson and his lovely wife were scheduled to be singing and playing their instruments for us, it was sure to be night for romance.

Cue: Marimbas play softly

But would she go with me?
Oh the dreadful thought of her saying ... NO!

Cue: Soap Opera Organ

I had to overcome the thought of being rejected and somehow ask her. At first, she seemed reluctant. I think her roommate had to encourage her to go – thanks Nancy!

She finally said “Yes" and that night was truly the beginning.
Cue: 11. Put Your Head on My Shoulder
(Remember - She wasted eight whole months!)


She said “Yes” again Christmas 1971. And we got married the next summer and graduated in 1974.
Cue: 12. 59th Street Bridge Song AKA Happy Together!


And we lived happily ever after.

Cue: Movie Theme from Love Story
Where do I begin to tell a story of how great a love can be?

(This Love Story doesn’t have an ending.)

After 35 years, she’s still the most beautiful girl in the world.
Now we have a beautiful daughter, a beautiful granddaughter and a handsome son.
Just think what she almost missed!

Credits
1. The Carpenters
2. Carol King
3. The Lettermen
4. 3 Dog Night
5. The Doors
6. Andrae Crouch
7. The Carpenters
8. The Everly Brothers
9. 3 Dog Night
10. The Lettermen
11. Paul Anka Originally, we liked The Lettermen version best.
12. Harpers Bizarre

How many did you get right?
Winners - go to revivaltimememories.blogspot.com and receive your prize - a natural/fake wood border picture of RT 1972 version!

FYI:

The picture above was taken on the night of the RT banquet, April 1971.

The picture on the right was taken on August 4th 1972, our wedding day.