A Tale of Two Hearts

On a Valentine’s Day long, long ago (‘70’s) in the "city that care forgot" (New Orleans, Louisiana), boy and girl (Steve and Janie) had their first conversation in a parking lot at Charity Hospital. They went to a Mardi Gras parade for a first date, and Steve caught an entire bag of beads -- an auspicious omen, don’t you think?

They found that they had much in common. They had read many of the same books, enjoyed asking questions, seeking answers and exploring all things natural.

They liked to hike and ride horses, and generally be outdoors. They were in accord on most facets of life.
And so they hung out together, and eventually married.
Early on, they fell in love with the mountains.

Three kids and 17 years later, the whole family moved to Utah, where the clan had many seasons of fun hiking over hills and desert and through the wildflowers.
The kids grew up. They celebrated weddings and the birth of three grandchildren.

Janie and Steve have a life to themselves again, boy and girl. (A little wrinkled and ragged around the edges but inside, they haven’t changed too much.) They are still talking, satisfying curiosity, riding, hiking, exploring.

And they hope to do so for many Valentine days to come.