Remembering The Fourth Day Of June…
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The third day of June will be forever etched in our memories as the sleepy, dusty Delta day when Billie Joe McAllister jumped off the Tallahatchie River bridge. The following day should also be forever etched in my memory – June 4, 2003, was the day my wife and I exchanged vows.
Guess what – I forgot!
Last Tuesday, June 4, was one of the busiest press days in a long time – two ribbon cutting pictures first thing that morning, a press conference for the lawsuit filed by former Holley Carburetor employees at 11 a.m., a surprise party celebrating Tommy White’s dedication to the Water Valley Rotary Club at 6 p.m. and a city board meeting at 6:30 p.m.
My brain switched into full-speed-ahead-mode as soon as my feet hit the ground that morning, it was going to be an interesting day. The lawsuit story was already in the works to make sure I had something ready for Wednesday’s edition, but more work would be required after talking with two of the plaintiffs and the plaintiffs’ attorneys.
On top of that, Tuesdays are already busy as we prepare the pages to send to the press. Admittedly I sweat the deadline for every edition even though I have never missed one in 26 years.
I got to work and snapped the pictures for the ribbon cuttings, still oblivious to the importance of the day. It was mid-morning when my sweet sister-in-law sent a text to my wife and I wishing us a happy anniversary.
I sent a quick text back thanking her, adding the years sure passed fast. I wasn’t ready to admit I had forgot and waited to see Charlotte’s response to the text.
I also immediately called my bride, but no answer. She finally responded to the text about 30 minutes later.
“Thank you,” she text her sister-in-law. “Glad we have you, we forgot!!!,” she added.
In the end, Charlotte and I both had a good laugh about it. This was the second time in 21 years both of us forgot our anniversary. She explained that she was in a meeting at work when I called and couldn’t answer. But she disrupted the meeting, getting tickled that we both forgot – again.
Thankfully I don’t have to find a bridge on the Tallahatchie River to jump from, but it wouldn’t have been the first time I had been swimming in that river. And if anybody needs marital advice, just stop by the office and I will tell you everything I know. It won’t take long, probably less than a minute!

