“We will only play nine holes.”he said.He whistled as he got his equipment together.We headed for the green grass of the golf course.I moaned as I got out of the car and sat down in the driver’s seat of a little white golf cart.This was not my idea of a good time.Before I started up the engine,Roy started trying to teach me the rules of the road.“What rules?”I shouted,as I took off driving full speed.“Slow down.”he begged.I laughed and kept driving.“You can only drive in designated spots.”he sternly informed me.“And who is going to stop me?”I joked.I was already feeling rebellious.When we reached the tee box at hole number one,he was shaking his head.It was clear that he was relieved to get off the speeding golf cart.He set up for his first swing while I watched,wondering why people think golf is so much fun.It looked mighty boring to me.He hit the ball,but had no idea where it went.For the next fifteen minutes we searched for it.Oh,this is fun,I chided him.We’ll just get another ball,he placated me,as he opened the pouch on his golf bag and pulled one out.Back we went to the tee box.
“This could take all afternoon.”I grumbled to myself.When Roy hit the ball a second time,we found it down the fairways a little way.After quite a few strokes,the ball went into the hole.I can’t remember the last time I saw my husband that happy.“What was the big deal?”I wondered.The driving game was on.We were off and speeding to the next hole.I was driving the cart and he was walking.He said he needed the exercise but I knew he was afraid of my driving.He spent a great deal of time hitting the ball and then looking for it,while I watched the squirrels and rabbits play.Something entirely unexpected happened by the time we reached the fifth hole.We were laughing,harder than we had in many years.The financial stress associated with putting three kids through college was gone.The strain of“too much work and too little play”was replaced by happy hearts and smiling faces.To my utter amazement,a golf course romance was born.By the time we got to whole number six,I had fallen in love again.I felt like a young bride accompanying her prince charming.Suddenly,he looked so cute trying to keep up with that little white ball.When we got to hole number seven,I sensed that he was watching me more than the ball.“Keep your eye on the ball.”I reprimanded him.“But I can’t,”he replied,“I like looking at you.”
At that point,he decided that he would ride with me again.This time,he didn’t get upset when I drove too fast.By the time we reached hole number eight,we were holding hands.I don’t know if he was holding on for dear life or if he enjoyed holding my hand,but nevertheless,I liked it.It had been a long while since we last held hands.The last hole,number nine,was the best hole of all.Before he stepped off the cart,he leaned over and kissed me.“I’m glad you came,”he said,“I had so much fun.”“Can we come back next week?”I asked.A smile covered his face and mine.“Yes,and next time we’ll play eighteen holes.”he asserted.He smacked the ball and it soared off into the woods.We both giggled as we drove off to find yet another lost ball.This time,it didn’t matter to me.My husband was happy.I was enjoying his company.Golf was just a good excuse to be together.We were not only finding lost balls.We were finding each other again,too.