Circa 1988
Forever Music is set in Charlotte, North Carolina. That’s where Kevin and I met and dated and got engaged. This picture is from those dating days. We took a trip to the NC mountains, not too far from Charlotte. A stranger took this picture for us on top of Grandfather Mountain (no selfies back in the day). As you can see from the rip across the middle, the picture’s seen better days, but it’s the only one I have of that trip.
I still own that jean jacket and wear it, too. I wish I had that yellow blouse. The acid washed jeans? Not so much. I also noticed my painted nails. I rarely paint them now. Way back then, I must have had more time for details like that.
For the record, Kevin didn’t go to Penn State. A buddy and a couple of cousins did, so maybe he borrowed that hoodie.
Anyway, I really enjoyed writing the story of Josie and Ches. They aren’t us, and their love story isn’t ours, but it was fun to remember that time in my life when I was a single sophisticate (or trying to be) and having fun doing my own thing and living in a pretty cool city. Go here if you want to see other pictures of us from that time.
Some of the locations mentioned in the novel are real places or were real places thirty years ago. I loved revisiting them while I wrote about Josie and Ches, and I hope you enjoy experiencing the city with them. Have you ever been to Charlotte? If so, what’s your favorite thing to do there?
Keep checking this blog for more stories from Forever Music and the ties to Charlotte.
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