Think about knowing someone for 10 years, now multiply that by 8! This is the story of Chuck and Katie Cline, they are my wife's grandparents. Chuck and Katie met back in the first grade in Craig, Colorado. It wasn't until the summer of their fifteenth year that they had their first date. This was in the era of the big band music and one of those bands came through their hometown. Chuck asked Katie to go, she said yes and they even shared their first kiss together.
Throughout high school, they were both busy with different activities. Katie was on yearbook staff, she was prom queen and even valedictorian of her class. Chuck was quite the sportsman. He lettered in every sport he played and was even recruited to play for LSU. After graduation, Katie went on to Colorado State College and Chuck went to the Colorado School of Mines. They didn't see each other for a few years. It wasn't until a summer baseball game that the serious romance began.
Chuck joined the Air Force and he was commanding officer at the time. Another officer really wanted to make sure Chuck knew what he was getting into. He told him that it was never a good idea to rush into marriage, that it was something to be taken very seriously. When he asked Chuck how long he had known the girl, Chuck said, "since the first grade, sir." And that was the end of that, the officer gave his approval.
Chuck and Katie's life was spent constantly moving across the country as he worked in upper level management for Mobil Oil. They have four girls and currently reside in Provo, UT and yes, they are still madly in love.