[Jim Robinson]

Thank you very much, Amy.

That picture was taken probably in the spring of 1970 on one of our trips up to Chowchilla to see Sheila’s mother.

We met and started dating in November 1969 when she was 19 and I was 24. She had graduated from Roosevelt High School a year earlier and was working as a teacher’s aide at Calwa Elementary at the time. I had recently completed my four year enlistment in the navy and was working as an aircraft sheet metal mechanic.

I used to hang out with friends after work at a tavern not far from the airport, shooting pool and drinking draft beer at 25 cents a glass. One night Sheila and her friend Barbara showed up and Barbara sent Sheila in to see if Barbara’s boyfriend Phil was there.

Here I was standing at the end of bar, que stick in one hand, glass of beer in the other when this cute young thing comes walking in with a sweet smile on her face.

What was I supposed to do? Instinctively, as any old grizzled navy vet would do, I blurted out, “Hey baby, how about a beer?”

She looked right at me, her sparkling eyes met mine and her smile widened and turned into a quick laugh, but she walked on by. She walked over and talked to the bartender for a minute, then left, and that was it.

But wait. Turns out Phil was a friend of mine and apparently, the three of them talked about that chance encounter and Sheila described the rude guy at the end of bar with long blond hair and scraggly beard and Phil figured out it was me. So he and Barbara arranged a double date with me and Sheila and our lifelong journey began.

It was love at first sight with me, but it took several months of wooing to convince her.

[Osage Orange]

Great post, Brother!!

Hope you are well.

Sheila sounded like a great woman.

And she put up with you! Ha!!

[JustAmy]

Jim, Thank you for sharing more of yours and Sheila’s life.
I love your story of love.

It is so good to read about Sheila’s love of life. Her love of country music and her love to tease.

I’m happy to have known her for 47 years. I tell everyone 48 but I think i exaggerated; it was really only 47.

You, John and Chris ..... take care of yourselves.

[jigsaw]

Jim, what a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing it with all of us. You are in our prayers!

[PerConPat]

Jim,

Calm seas, from one sailor to another...

[Freee-dame]

That is a beautiful story of how you and Sheila met. I am so sorry for your loss.

[thecodont]

Wonderful story, Jim.

So sorry about your loss.

[gracie1]

Jim, I’m so sorry to hear about Sheila. I so enjoyed her company when we would have our freeps and picnics. I know how it is to lose your soulmate, I lost my Carlos a little over a year ago. I’m sure she’s looking down from heaven on all of your family. My prayers to all of you, and God bless.

[notpoliticallycorewrecked]

Oh,,, Jim that is a great story. So you, cradle robber you! And trying to aid in the delinquency of a minor no less.

I would love to hear Sheila’s version of this story. She and I can talk about it in heaven. I can hear that laugh as she would have walked by. So it took you a while to win her over, eh? Good for her. Looks like you did a good job of wooing her. Especially since she thought that you were rude. Now that is hard to believe.

And I can see the resemblance of Sheila in that picture, but there is no way to connect you with the dude with long blond hair.

[caww]

What a great love story Jim. Why is it guys seem to always know right away the woman they fall “in love at first sight” generally before she does....it’s like God gives you guys a special indicator button!

[caww]

May these flowers remind you of loving thoughts

and prayers for you and your beloved family....

[AllAmericanGirl44]

I love hearing how 2 people meant to be met. Yours is a charming story.
Thank you for sharing. So deeply sorry for your loss.

[MHGinTN]

Beautiful story, Jim. God does stuff like that 'love at first sight'. May the Peace of the Lord settle upon you, brother. You will see Sheila sooner than later and so many Freepers will get the blessing of meeting you and Sheila in the clouds when we join Jesus for the return (for Sheila) trip to The Father's House.

And Thank you Jim for the amazing concept of Freerepublic.com.

[Exit148]

Awwwwwww———! Thank you for that beautiful story, JimRob. Hold it close in your memory of dear Sheila. (as if I even had to say that!)

[Rusty0604]

I love your love story.

[PGalt]

“Turns out Phil was a friend”

So true, JimRob

[Chickensoup]

It is wonderful to hear of lifetime love.

It is a rare commodity.

Treasure it.

Few achieve it.

[.30Carbine]

Oh, what a beautiful story of your first encounter with Sheila! I admire her beauty, friendliness, and sparkle, and you, for the way you describe her.

And who wouldn’t like .25 cent beer?!

[Grampa Dave]

Thanks for sharing!

You are a lucky man to have a wife like Sheila.

[fatima]

“Hey baby, how about a beer?” Hehehehehehe Way to win a girls heart Jim.I met my Husband at 13,he and his best friend tried to talk to us outside the Ice Cream place.We ran and they followed but I was a fast runner.Married at 16.The best part of getting married young is you experience all new things together.Memories that no-one can take away.We are married 59 years.Being together as a couple you know everything about the other person and you both become softer.I like that you guys hung out together all the time.Never got to meet both of you :( ((((Hugs)))))

[Tired of Taxes]

Thanks for sharing the story of how you met. Love the photos of the two of you as a young couple in love!