How Did This Happen ?

Joyce and I first met in December 2011 at the Union Township Senior Center in Clermont County, Ohio. She had lost her husband four months earlier, in August; I had lost my wife two months later, in October.

Joyce had been a somewhat regular there on Monday mornings, playing euchre with other seniors. I had decided that I needed to get out and mix with other people rather than isolate myself at home. 

I would come in to the center mid morning and sit at a table and observe for a while, then leave. I did this probably for a month, not saying much, but just watching. I had never played euchre, but did play bridge, so the basic concept of the game came fairly easily. The biggest problem that I encountered was with the bowers. 

One morning I happened to be sitting at the same table where Joyce was sitting. An extra person was needed at another table and Joyce said to me, "Here, take my place. The only way you're going to learn is by playing," and she got up and went to the other table. That got me playing euchre, and introduced me to Joyce's ways.