Asking for her Parents Blessing

I think it was around the end of January or maybe the first week in February when I got a call from Steve: "Hi Miss Jenny", he said. "Ugh....I was wonderig if I could come over and talk to you and Mr. Bob?" Uh oh, I wondered, could this be it? I got excited for a moment thinking that I knew what he might want to talk about. But then, I realized that true gentlemen like this don't really exist on this earth any more... or do they?? It wasn't long after that call when Steve arrived at our house. (To this day, I haven't figured out where Sara was at this time, since they were practically inseparable). So, there we were sitting at the kitchen table anxiously waiting to hear just was Steve wanted to "talk" to us about. Leave it to Mr. Bob to break the ice for him..."So Steve, what's on your mind, bud?" he asked inquisitively. Now, I'm sure Steve had been rehearsing his speech over and over to himself while en route to our house; nevertheless, he was still quite nervous! "Well", he began. "You know that Sara and I have been together for a while now, and you know that Valentine's Day is coming up, and you know how much I love her?" "Mmm hmmm", I said nodding my head. Steve continued, "I just want you both to know what I'm intending to do on that special night". Steve then proceeded to tell us his entire intinerary for that special day: "I'm going to take Sara to The Rusty Scupper for dinner, our favorite restaurant at the Harbor, and I'm going to give her a dozen red roses". I thought to myself "oh, a true romantic". But wait, there's more.... at this point, Steve proceeded to reach into his inside jacket pocket and, with that, he pulled out a black velvet ring box (ah ha! I was right!) His speech continued as he opened the box, "But before dinner, I'm going to stop by the water, get down on my knee and umm. . . ask Sara to marry me!" (Steve also made a point to tell us that he was going to do everything he could to make sure that his mum wouldn't be there on a boat with her videocamera taping the proposal . . . come on, it's not like Kelly would even think of such a thing!) Bob and I looked at each other, but before we could say anything, Steve continued with his speech. "But before I ask Sara to marry me, I wanted to come here and ask for your blessing, because without it, it wouldn't mean the same". I was now totally impressed with Steve's etiquette and respect he had for us. Our "talk" continued as Bob proceeded to ask Steve the questions that parents are "supposed" to ask their future son-in-law. You know, those questions regarding finances, faith, babies, etc. (I'm not so sure Steve had rehearsed THIS part of his talk!) Anyway, after much discussion and chit-chat, Bob's closing statement went something like this: "So Steve, if I'm going to hand over my daughter to you in marriage, can you sit here and tell me honestly that you are ready to settle down and take care of Sara and love her, protect her and be true to her forever?" With that, Steve replied, "Yes, Mr. Bob, I am." "Well then", Bob said,.... "You have our Blessing!" ~ And the rest is history ~ GOD BLESS YOU STEVE

Labor Day Weekend
I have so many stories and memories with Steve, you tend to accumulate a lot when you have known someone since you were 12. However, this is one that I find a lot of comfort in, and it truly illustrates how much of a wonderful friend and person Steve was and still is. Last Labor Day weekend I went out into Towson with Shannon, and Kelly. We ended up at CVP with Timmy, Stevie, Mark, Chris, and Brian...I think the whole group of us was there, infact Steve and I joked about how much of a reunion it was. Steve and I had gone upstairs to get a drink, water for him and beer for me. He was driving he told me when I asked him what he was drinking. I had offered to buy us a round, he imfactically stated that I was not to buy him anything and threw money down on the bar to pay for my beer. I gave him one of my token looks, and we sat down to catch up. He told me all about Martial Arts and how Kelly, Nan, and Kassy were doing, before I had even asked because he knew that I always wanted to make sure they were well and if they needed anything. Then he asked me how I was. Though I was happy to be out with my friends, I was sad because my boyfriend, Garth, and I had been through quite an ordeal earlier that year, and right before the long weekend we had gotten into a fight. Garth was going away for a softball tournament, and there was a few other things going on as well. I talked to Steve, I told him everything that had gone on, everything I was thinking, and everything that had bothered me about it. He was calm and attentive, and took my hand as I shed a few tears. When I finished, he looked at me square in the eye and solemnly said "Do you want me to beat him up? Cause I will and he laughed. Courtney, now you listen to me. If Garth loves you, and I think he does. Things will work out on its own. Don't worry so much, you have so much to be happy about." Steve always took time out of whatever he was doing to listen to me when I had a problem, to find out how I was, and to make sure I was having a good time if we were out. Later that night he said something to Mark and Mark laughed and said something about me, and Steve said "hey man, thats my little sister...watch what you say." Mark looked at me and smiled. He knew and understood that Steve and I had a unique bond. No matter where Steve and I were in life we would pick up where we left off, and take the time to make sure the other person was well and help them out if they needed help. He was genuine, caring, and protective. I knew I could always count on him. And he knew he could always count on me if he needed me. Our friendship is and was not only extrodinary, it was as if God placed him in my life to make me a better person, and to let me know that someone would always be there for me when I was not quite so sane. And it is memories like this one, that keep me going and make me smile. Knowing that through all this muck I experience, there is always something I should be happy about and greatful for.

Buying a Car

During my freshman year of college, I came home to Maryland to buy a car. While I was hanging out with some friends, I ran into Steve. Even though we hadn't be in contact for many years, he offered to go with me to look at cars. That's just the kind of guy Steve was. He was always there to help you out. He was a wonderful and generous friend. With his help, I ended up buying a red camry. Strangely enough, this week I am back home in Maryland to buy my next car, and, inevitably, Steve has been on my mind. I couldn't help thinking as I trooped obliviously through car lot after car lot these past few days that I wish Steve was here... His absence is felt even by those of us who live thousands of miles away.

The Ultrasound

Last year around this time I was 1.5 to 2 months pregnant with Thornado. I was due for my first Ultrasound and asked Stevie and Kelly if they wanted to come along. Stevie was really excited that morning. I could see it in his eyes. Stevie sat next to me and held my hand, Kelly stood on the other side with the tech. When the image of Thor appeared on the screen and Thor began to move around, Stevie had tears in his eyes. He had such a loving heart ever since he was a little boy. Then the ultrasound tech said she'd never seen a baby in this position before, which worried us at first. But as we looked closer, she explained that Thor was sitting on an incline "like he was driving". Stevie laughed really hard. Kelly and I too, but i think Stevie was especially proud of his little nephew.

Rope Dart

Steve liked to buy weapons that he had not yet learned how to use. One of those weapons, the Rope Dart, which as the name suggests, is a long rope with a pointed heavy metal dart at the end, is particularly dangerous, and very hard to "master". During a class that Ryan was teaching, Steve was in the classroom, playing with his rope dart. Ryan was standing to the side, when the rope dart shot out and hit him on the neck at the base of his skull. Ryan grabbed the back of his head, and, still bleeding, asked Steve to make sure no one else was nearby when he practiced. Steve felt really bad for a little while, but none of us could ignore how funny it was that he got it to work right.

The Proposal

It was Valentine's Day, February 14th, 2004, and we were on our way down to the Inner Harbor for dinner at our absolute favorite restaurant, The Rusty Scupper. I could tell something was on his mind because Steve had this really nervous expression on his face and he was particularly quiet on the ride in the car. I asked him if everything was okay and he said yes, but I knew something was on his mind. The thought had crossed my mind that my Valentine's present could possibly be an engagement ring, but I didn't really think that it would be. So, we arrived at The Rusty Scupper, which is right on the water and on our way into the restaurant, Steve asked if we could stop and "look at the boats." Mind you, it was the middle of winter(very cold outside) and we were running a little bit late for our reservation. I replied, "Steve it feels like 20 degrees out here and I'm really hungry." And he said "Well, let's just go look at the water for a minute." It was then that my suspicions were just about to come true! We walked over to the water (around the side of the building, where there were no people) and Steve told me how much he loved me and said he was going to marry me. I just giggled and thought okay, one day. I then learned that he meant sooner than later! He got down on his knee, like a true gentleman, and asked me if I would accept the ring and marry him. He was soooo nervous. But of course, I said yes! I didn't cry though...I only cry when I'm sad. I giggled and smiled the whole rest of the night and could not stop looking at my beautiful ring! I was now engaged!!!

The wedding ring
When my dad died in 1990,everyone was at mom and dads house after the funeral. Stevie and Krissy were playing in Kassys bedroom. Doyle and I had already changed out of our dress clothes and took off the jewelry also.A little while later when we were all sitting around,Stevie came over to me and whispered in my ear that he needed me to come to the bedroom because he had to show me something. He looked a little nervous as a I followed him.When I got in there,he held up Uncle Doyles wedding band.In the center of the silver band was the prettiest penny stuck right in the middle. It was in there very good.Stevie could not get it out,and I tried to hammer it out. It was pretty funny,actually.So finally I showed it to Doyle and he was actually happy because he never wore it anyway.Stevie was a nervous wreck thinking he was going to get in trouble. I finally took it to the jeweler about 5 years later and they got it out somehow.
Now it is back with Stevie. -Aunt Kimmy

LIFE IS BUT A THEATRE

Life is but a Theatre
Where we play each and every role
First, playing our young and innocent part
A small child needing but one light to guide him,
The light of love
We have not yet seen the wrath of greed, jealousy, and betrayal,
While we are yet to see the true beauty of life
Next, the young adult. The most awkward role
Our first experiences of true fear, pain and passion
The grown adult, a mere sequel to the past.
Few differences. The matter of responsibility,
And that of starting a family.
A transitional point to recollect the many years past.
Last, growing into the end
And with a soft, steady breath, the play has ended.
-Steve Frush, 3/18/96