Saturday, July 5, 2008

From Scoob's Parents...

We've known Dom for quite some time--or more precisely, about him--since the very first day of freshman year at Bakersfield High School. When the Quailwood Krew convened to discuss their new 1998 classmates, Dominic Ambriz was a big winner! Not only was he "hot" and a superb athlete, he was as nice as he was artistic, and when your minds are already thinking about the Homecoming float you have to build, Dom was definitely a standout amongst their new classmates! Of course he came through for the float building that first year and the following three, but he also became a friend and more over the next few years for many of his previously unknown classmates. Even though we "knew" Dominic, we never really got to know him then.

When Scoob and Dom began seeing each other some months ago, we began to hear tales of a high school relationship and discovered they had left "unfinshed business" on the table (Yes, it's true, sometimes parents are the last to know). Both kids had left for college, careers, and others, yet, after ten years, a fire still smoldered, and all it took was Maitia's and the Internet to fan the flames! Dom and Benji showed up at our house for our annual Christmas party last December, and even Scoob's brother parading around in Depends (a White Elephant gift thing) couldn't stop the Dom and Scoob Show.

Very soon after Dom and Scoob began dating, he told Scoob he wanted to be formally introduced to us (Who does that?), so we did the hand-shaking thing just like he wanted, then went to BJ's for dinner. While waiting in the bar for our table, the kids ran into Jason Stewart and they all exchanged phone numbers without saying a word (How do they do that?), and Jason asked them if they were a couple [early days here folks, early days!]. Dom agreed that they were--my husband and I looked at each other, nodded at each other, gave each other the "sign" and were smugly satisfied. Excellent choice, Dom, and excellent choice, Scoob! But, what kind of guy wants to "meet" parents that he has known for years? Dom--a very classy guy, that's who.

Although they haven't been fortunate enough to have that much time together, they have had more fun together than many other couples ever do. They have been devoted to each other from the start--neither were game players--and friends who know them rejoiced, even though it took ten years to finally get together. Dom knew how special Bass Lake is to Scoob. In June, even though he wasn't feeling well (the chemo, the flu), they traveled five hours to spend the weekend at the cabin so that he could see her "happy place" with his own eyes. He took boat rides (sometimes a little green around the gills afterwards), viewed family-favorite movies, consumed lots of food which he promptly lost, and (Bless his Heart) watched NASCAR racing. Gotta love the guy! Even though he felt like crap, he hugged me when he was leaving and ever polite, said, "Thanks for having me." We didn't take any photos that weekend knowing that Dom would hate the way he looked, so I passed on the camera for next time when he felt more like himself. If I had the opportunity to replay that weekend, the video camera would have been rolling 24/7.

Thank you Jane, Don, Amy, and Mattie for your wholehearted and gracious acceptance of our daughter into your family. And thank you Marshall, Matt, Benji, etc. and wives/girlfriends for your welcoming embrace into Dom's circle. She wouldn't have missed this time with Dom and each of you for the world, and neither would we. God bless you, Dom. We believe in miracles.

With love,Gerri and Bud Bonner

No comments: