Didn't We Almost Have it All?

I can't believe it. The woman of my libidinous teenage years and dreams has died.  Whitney Houston was the only woman that I would hear sing and swear that she was singing about me and to me.  There are so many memories that I have that surround Whitney Houston's music.  Picture it...Langley, South Carolina 1986.  A small shy young man has a major crush on a girl named Wendy.  The Naval ball was fast approaching (I was in NJROTC and so was the beautiful Wendy).  As I was very shy during my high school years (I know that's hard to believe, but truly I was), I wanted to ask Wendy to the dance, but the lack of courage and a driver's license prevented me from doing so.  So I settled for the next best thing. I was determined that I was going to ask her for a dance.  Now the best thing to do would be to wait for a fast song to be played so that there was no fear of the awkward touching that one has to endure during a slow dance, but this was my last year of high school and I was throwing caution to the wind.  I got up my courage and finally asked Wendy to dance with me and to my surprise she said yes.  We danced to Whitney's "Didn't We Almost Have it All?" and at that moment I felt that I did.  I knew that by the time this dance was over, Wendy would be mine and no one would be able to separate us.  Surely, Wendy must have known how I felt about her.  Whitney was telling her.  The song ended and alas so did my chances with Wendy.  My love for Wendy would remain unrequited.  

Let's visit Oxford, Ohio in the winter of 1993.  It was here that I was listening to the radio and heard a song that made me run (not walk) to the record store.  I heard this beautiful song entitled "I Will Always Love You."  When I heard that song, there was no need for the radio announcer to say the name of the artist; anyone with ears knew that it was Whitney Houston.  I just knew that I HAD to have that song.  Unfortunately, I had to wait until it was actually released, but a guy named Paul, took my name and phone number and promised that he would save a copy of the CD for me when it arrived.  After some investigation, I found out that the song was from the movie "The Bodyguard."  I saw this movie SIX TIMES when it came out and with each showing I began to hate Kevin Costner because he was getting paid to do things with Whitney on screen that I would have happily done in real life for free!  Luckily, Paul called shortly after the movie was released and I purchased the soundtrack and listened to it ad nauseum.  I still play the soundtrack to this day, and even my children know all of the songs.

Flash forward to 1994.  By this time, the beautiful Wendy has been replaced with my wife, the gorgeous Cathy and I am working at the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!).  A new movie has come out entitled "The Preacher's Wife" and I am determined that I am going to see it on the day  it comes out, during the first showing (as only a true fan would)!  I took some time off from work and some co-workers and I saw the show.  After seeing the movie for the first time, I purchased the soundtrack and literally, within two hours, knew the words to every song . . . even the lukewarm song that she sang with Bobby Brown.  Of course, that was not my only viewing.  That weekend I saw the movie four times!  My wife knows that if she wants to start an argument all she has to say is something to the effect of "Whitney can't sing.”  My wife and I have gotten into many heated discussions over Whitney and my love for her that has endured for these past 27 years.  Of course, for someone who thinks that Whitney Houston cannot sing it always amazes me how my Whitney Houston CD's would end up in her car or office. My wife knows how much I love Whitney and that I will always defend Whitney Houston even through her troubles and addictions. In fact, upon hearing the news, my wife called me to see how I was doing . . . as if I actually knew Whitney Houston personally. My wife, my family and my close friends know that I am very saddened by this news, but I take refuge in the fact that I have every single one of her songs and can hear her anytime I'm feeling a little depressed.  Rest in peace Whitney and remember that I will always love you (even though I am married to Cathy).