Last week, I was talking about how wonderful our river lot neighbors are and how blessed we are to be in such a great area with an amazing group of what is now our river family. But how did we meet? If it wasn’t borrowing a lighter or a can opener, it happened like this.
The people next to our neighbors had two lots together. We would always go by and wave, but never stopped to talk. I guess because up until seven years ago, we really didn’t stay up at our lot. Our kids were younger, and it was just harder because we didn’t have a camper. But once we got our pop-up, we stayed up more.
One evening, we found baby owls on our neighbor’s lot and went to see them. Their neighbors (who are the Lukowskys, Smiths, Kiesslings, and the Caverlys) came down to see what we were looking at. It wasn’t all of them, but I remember Jess, Allana, and Missy there for sure.
I remembered Allana’s name first because her name was so unique.
Somehow, we ended up exchanging phone numbers that night and met all their husbands as well. They seemed like such a fun group of people, and I was looking forward to getting to know them better now that we would be spending more time up there.
A few weekends later, I decided to text Allana to see if they would be going up to the river that weekend.
“Hey, Allana. It’s Andrea from the river lot. Are you and Chad Daddy planning on coming up to the river this weekend with everyone?”
I hit send.
I read the text.
I then gasped for air.
“OH MY GOSH!!! NOOOOO!!” I yelled to myself.
“OMG. OMG. Why did my phone spell check Chadd to Chad Daddy!?”
I was mortified! I had no idea what happened or how. The only thing I could come up with is that her husband spelled Chadd with two Ds. It took the last day and turned that word into Daddy like I was some kind of trollop trying to get her man. My heart was pounding. I had just met this girl a few weeks back. I didn’t know her that well. How would she take this!? She probably thinks I am some kinda hussy.
I texted back as fast as I could, “Allana, I am so sorry! I swear to God I did not mean to put Chad Daddy! I meant to text Chadd, and my phone changed it automatically! I am so, so sorry!”
I waited patiently for a response, probably chewing on my fingernails while waiting.
“LOL! I am dying! Chadd Daddy! I love it! I’m keeping it. It’s amazing!” she replied. I felt a sense of relief instantly. She was my kinda girl! She didn’t mind at all and found it hilarious, thank God!
The next time I saw her in person, I apologized again and told her how embarrassed I was. She said, “Are you kidding me!? I laughed so hard! Your husband’s name is Chris, right? We have a Chris Daddy and a Chadd Daddy now, girl!”
You guys, it’s been seven years since this happened, and to this day, Allana will yell to Chris, “Chris Dadddddyyyy!!!!” And I don’t call Chadd, Chadd. It’s Chadd Daddy or Daddy Chaddy. Hahaha! It’s been our thing now since we met. It’s funny because the evening after I wrote this column, this was Allana’s text to me, and so random! (I had to add it.)
She took a picture of my article “Porch Sittin’” and sent it to me with a text that read:
What a great read….OLD LADY! Lol You’re probably in bed with your old man bahahaha Chris Dadddyyyyy!
I just cracked up because she had no idea I’d just finished writing a column about this. She will now, right, Allana!?
We love our daddies, and they love our craziness. It’s the story of our relationship breaking the ice, and boy, did it ever. We are so incredibly thankful for our close relationship with them all and know we can count on them for anything. So close that we call each other’s husbands daddies. That’s pretty close.
*enter cheesy smile here*
Strawberry Angel Food Cake Dessert
Ingredients:
• Box of Angel Food cake — baked, cooled, and cut into bite-sized cubes. (Or you can buy one already baked)
• Strawberry Jello Pack – 3 ounces
• 1 cup boiling water
• 2 1/2 cups of fresh or frozen strawberries
• 8 ounces Cool Whip; more for extra on top if desired
Directions:
Place Jello in a large bowl. Pour in boiling water and whisk until completely dissolved. Stir in the frozen strawberries. (If they are fresh, like what I used, just throw in a couple of ice cubes.) Once completely mixed, fold in the thawed Cool Whip. Next, fold in the angel food pieces until combined. Spread the mixture out in a 9-by-13 dish. Cover and refrigerate for four hours before serving.
*I topped it with more cool whip and fresh strawberries right before serving.*
I made this for my momma after her surgery, and we all loved it.
Angel food cake and strawberries are her favorite.
Perfect summer treat!
