Neil and I met the summer of 2006. We were both at the Dodgeville Bluesfest, back when the Dodgeville Bluesfest was awesome. Side note: there is a GREAT picture of Max getting his groove on at the very same Bluesfest in the Breads and Crusts chapter of our cookbook, on a Pumpkin Bread recipe from the Rielys.

Walking through the crowd, I see my friend Jeff Oakes and go over to say hi. Hanging out with him was a tall, skinny, drunk hottie named Neil. We chatted and danced and drank a little beer and at the end of the night, he asked for my number. He called before I got home, “to make sure I gave him my real number.” He had me in his phone as “DEB”. Like I said, hot but drunk. ☺

The next day he called again and we talked for four hours. We texted nonstop. Cell phones were new for both of us back then, and we both ended up with cell phone bills over $300. I went into US cellular, and said, “So, I met a boy…..”, they took care of it for me. I don’t remember for sure, but I think Neil had to pay his. Yikes.

By chance, his job that takes him all over, had him working in Mt. Horeb that summer. That made it easier for us to see and get to know each other. It was a fun and wild summer that became the base of a solid and loving bond.

A big bonus, our relationship brought Bo and Nash into my life. They are good, sweet boys. Men now. Crazy. I fit into his family and Lord knows, he fits into ours!