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Directions:The summer Casey and I started dating, in 2002, was also Leigh and Eric's one year wedding anniversary. Casey and I had our first date on July 11th and their anniversary is in August. I was crazy about Casey. We had just started dating, and I remember everyday wondering, "I hope he likes me as much as I like him." We had spent a lot of time together, but I knew summer was about to end and Casey was getting ready to leave for Furman. Before he left, he invited me to a party Leigh and Eric had at their home to celebrate their one year anniversary and watch a special video they had made. It doesn't take one long to see how special the Baxter family is, and I was no different. This was my first "get together" with the whole family. I come from a really close knit family, but I was still amazed at the love, laughter, and closeness of Casey's family. Andy and Brooke, Eric and Leigh, Corey and Lindsay, everybody just seemed to fit together so perfectly. In my mind I was thinking, "I hope I fit in as well as everyone else does." I have never spent so much time on my hair as I did those days in the summer of 2002. I really wanted my relationship with Casey to continue. When we arrived at Eric and Leigh's home, Casey introduced me to everybody. Paw Paw Billy was not shy around me at all. He gave me a big hug and asked me with a grin..."So, when ya'll gettin' hitched." I laughed, but I also was wondered, "Can he tell how crazy I am about Casey, is it that obvious?" Casey flashed a grin almost identical to Paw Paw Billy's and I thought, "I might be the luckiest girl in the world if that is how everything works out." I adored Paw Paw Billy. He was a Godly man who loved deeply. I know that many of the things I love most about Casey come out of that Godly heritage and love and devotion to family. We are about to have our first son and it is only fitting that he will carry on the name Joe. Just like his great granddad Billy Joe and his dad Casey Joe, I pray Charlie Joe will share that same love and devotion to the Lord and his family. I still smile when I think about those first words Paw Paw Billy ever said to me...he had it right from the beginning! |