Taken With Tooks

 

Well…this is the story all about how my life got flipped, turned upside down.  And I’d like to take a minute, so put down your books…and I’ll tell you how I fell in love with a man named Jed Tooks.

It was a warm, spring day in May of 1982 when a little Canadian girl came raging down the birth canal.  Four months early there was a similar occurrence with a little American boy.  Their mothers, who both bore the same name, were thrilled with their presence...after the pain subsided.

Fast forward to 2011.  This little girl, whom we shall call Shannon, grew up to be a photojournalist.  After completing her schooling in a place called Ontario, which had a strange gravitational pull like it was the centre of the universe, she decided to do a photo story on the existence and threat to arctic life.  Her adventure would take her by sea to the wilds of Alaskan waters.

Several days in on the aquatic journey, a storm came a brewing, whipping waves up and tossing their adventure boat to and fro when suddenly a rogue wave swept Shannon’s camera overboard into the frigid pacific waters.  Foolishly, on instinct, Shannon dove to catch it, falling overboard in the process.

For what seemed like days Shannon frantically bobbed under the waters when all of the sudden she heard what sounded like the flapping of the wings of a storm of angels and a strong arm wrapped around her and lifted her out of the waters. 

Enter the little American boy, now a fine young Coast Guard, we shall call him Jed.  Jed had the strength of ten thousand men.  With drowning lady in tow, Jed and his helicopter whisked hypothermic Shannon to safety, saving her life and stealing her heart. 

And now they are getting married in December and will live happily ever after in Alaska…once US immigration deems it’s time that they can do so and they have submitted the proper documents and payment.  Fairytale. 

Actually…we met online.  Not as sensational, but just as serendipitous and completely by the hand of God (Jed also is really that strong). I can tell you that story some other time.  The ending remains the same.