The 906 Club

It was a breezy, slightly cool autumn evening on the coast. Shrimp boats could be seen returning to harbor as the sunset gently tinted the sky with a breathtaking array of pinks and oranges. As Jack led his siblings out the front door of their beachfront home, he audibly inhaled the salty air and took in the beautifully colored hues. He reminded his siblings of something their mother had told them many times, “Red sky at night, sailor’s delight.” The group of teen siblings, while walking to their high school gymnasium, were delighting in the crunching sounds of stepping on the fallen acorns from the moss-laden oak tree aligning the expansive beachfront homes. Jack, a high school senior, was visibly excited about attending the girls’ basketball game. As he eagerly walked a few enthusiastic steps ahead of his siblings, he could hardly disguise his feelings of immeasurable anticipation. Little did they know that he was hoping and secretly praying that he would catch an up-close glimpse of a particular female player. He had first glanced at her in his English class. She was a classic beauty donning a cute pageboy hairstyle. Their eyes locked for a fleeting moment. The bell rang, and she disappeared into the crowded hallway. Jack could not wait to get to the basketball game that night. Upon their arrival, Jack hurriedly placed himself strategically in the front middle of the stands. His eyes methodically scanned the gym until finally they landed on her. Her beauty was beyond measure and as lovely as her name, Rose Lillian. Her coal black hair pulled back into a ponytail, huge brown eyes, perfectly placed cheekbones, full ruby lips, and radiant olive skin were mesmerizing. Although petite, Rose was impressively athletic. She moved gracefully like an angel, silently like a cat, and fearlessly like a tigress despite being amongst many taller, long-legged and long-armed athletes. Jack was smitten. He even stated quite assuredly to his friends and siblings, “That’s the girl I am going to marry!” Eventually, Rose smiled. Jack was sure she must have caught him following her every move. His face lit up! He convinced himself that she was smiling at him. Even his friends elbowed him teasingly. His prayers had been answered. He was deeply in love. When his head hit his pillow that night, he thanked God for allowing Rose to grace him with her endearing smile. Jack courted Rose like a true gentleman. Using old-fashioned chivalry, he treated her like royalty. Having a keen sense of humor, Jack brought Rose to hysterical laughter constantly. His careful determination, sharp wit, and gentile attentiveness eventually won Rose’s heart. Even though Rose was reserved, she was equally astute and quick witted. She inspired Jack to always be on his best behavior. He quickly became accustomed to her endearing mannerisms. Jack memorized how Rose often swooped her long, thick eyelashes down as if in slow motion while gently curving her shoulders and clasping her hands together in front of her body whenever he made her blush. Jack especially appreciated and respected Rose’s outspoken insightfulness, which she always delivered with purposeful deliberation, mutual respect, and eloquent diplomacy. Interestingly, Rose’s mother was originally from the Spanish Canary Islands. Equally as interesting, her father was conceived in Barcelona of Spanish parents who traveled to Guadalajara, Mexico, where he was born and raised. Subsequently, he had dual citizenship in both countries. As a result of a series of rather fascinating coincidences, fate would eventually bring these two souls together despite their independent journeys from two different countries. In a small coastal community in the southeastern United States, their serendipitous paths met. They fell in love, got married, and welcomed children. Consequently, Rose and her siblings benefitted from their parents’ international travel experiences, multiple talents, vast skills, and breathtaking Spanish beauty. Rose quite definitely learned to be courageous and was not hesitant to express her feelings or opinions, albeit with impressive grace, wit, and intellect. In addition to Rose’s unmatched beauty and notable intelligence, Jack was equally thrilled to learn that they both shared common religious beliefs and customs. Like Jack, Rose was raised as a Christian with a solid belief in God. Ideally, both teens were devoted to their families, attended their church regularly, and lived their faith reverently. Their senior year of high school passed quickly. Eventually, she said yes! As was common in those days, they were married within a few months. Little did they know the many blessings and challenges that would be bestowed upon them. Throughout their 65 year marriage, Rose had 20 single, natural births, no twins or triplets. Nonetheless, nothing could thwart their love for each other, their loyalty to family, and their reverent faith. This is the true story of an unprecedented love filled with hilarious and heartwarming stories about growing up in an unusually large family. The unparalleled impact of this extraordinary tale will leave a permanent and indelible mark on readers of all ages.