Flowers, hearts and special ladies

It’s still another five days before Valentine’s Day, but I’ve already spent a special evening with some very special ladies.

One of my favorite events of the year is the annual Sweethearts Banquet at First Baptist Church of Christ, where I am a member.

It has been a tradition at our church since 1990. The senior women (65 and older) of the church who are either widowed, divorced or single are the guests of honor at the banquet, which was held in the church’s fellowship hall Thursday night.

Their “dates” for the night are the men of the church, and the escorts ranged from 13-year-old middle schoolers to retired Navy men in their 70s.

The men go through the ritual of calling the ladies, asking them to the banquet, picking them up at 5:30 p.m. and treating them like the special ladies they are.

Thursday night was my eighth Sweethearts Banquet. I love going and seeing all the ladies, dressed to the hilt, having the time of their lives.

A professional photographer takes pictures and each lady is given a corsage. The tables are decorated with valentines drawn by 4-and 5-year-old children at our church. We have a delicious meal and a wonderful program and musical entertainment.

Of course, we try to have them all home by 8.