Twenty years ago I accepted a dare that would change my life.

I had just started my Senior year.  And I had big plans; plans that would take me to Howard Payne University in Brownwood Texas.  I would follow in my parents' and my sister's footsteps in attending.  I was going to become a teacher and find myself a preacher.  We would get hitched and have a mess of kids.

The weekend of August 28, 1992, my family had plans to go to Lake Brownwood.  I was told I could bring a friend.  I remember thinking that my friends were probably busy.

So my mom, with my sister's encouragement dared me to ask a certain dark-haired, green-eyed Junior to the lake.  This was unheard of.  My mother didn't really encourage the girl chasing the boy, but she and my sister had decided the Spring before that he was a nice looking guy who seemed nice too.

Funny thing is, I had dated him a few times in the Spring and I had a different opinion.  Still, who was I to pass up a good dare?

...And I'd been wrong before.

I dialed up his number and waited.  I asked.  He hesitated, then said yes.

So Jason Burden, on a Saturday morning loaded into the Fowler Suburban with the family.  He was bombarded all day with my nieces wanting piggy back rides and questions from cousins. Being super vain, I remember worrying because swimming had destroyed my perfect hairdo and any make-up I had on. I was sure it wasn't going well.

In the car on the way home, he slipped an arm around me.  My mom, who remembers looking in the rearview mirror, was SURE that wouldn't go well either since she was unsure if I liked him.

To her surprise and mine.....the day went well.

It's been twenty years since that first dare, and what I consider that first REAL date.

I'm glad I accepted the dare

-Glad he accepted the date.

And that.....is the truth!