We met where most parched individuals can be found after a hot day in the sun for a rodeo, at the ol' watering hole in Deadwood South Dakota during the Days of 76 Rodeo. Saloon No. 10 happened to be the place that evening for a cold Busch Light and an iced down Michael Phelps. It was a packed house, with a great band. Max was there with JJ enjoying a break from haying season. Karissa was there bringing back a trailer that she had borrowed from kind friends who had met up with her to enjoy the weekend too. Karissa's group left while she stayed made her way closer to the stage. Along the path she crossed eyes with Max who was bellied up to a high top. After several trips from the stage to the bar, and several glances exchanged between the two Karissa just about finished her drink and decided to make her move on the dark and handsome cowboy. She thought 'what do I have to lose?'. Her pickup line was lame, but JJ and Max took the bait. JJ was the first to introduce himself and introduced Max as 'Maxwell Singleberry Eddy', we would all chuckle at that one. Max would proceed to take Karissa to the busy bar to buy her a drink. They would later move to the dance floor and shut the Saloon down for the evening. The next night they ended up finding one another again. Karissa would sneak the first kiss at a John Wayne Penny Machine after we lost Max's 5 dollars. I guess it softened the loss.

Wherever our dreams can best meet opportunity with hard work, faith and a little bit of luck.