Sitting here thinking about Chris takes me back to the very first time I met him 20 years ago.
I was actually on a first date with a man named David. David and I had plans on meeting up at his sister's house for a party. There was music, beer, steaks being grilled and a jacuzzi. Which we had all planned on. After things had wound down Chris shows up. He wasn't planning on getting in the Jacuzzi but did. He stripped down to his boxers and got in. Anyways, forward thru a bit. We needed to go to the store before it closed. Chris not wanting to get his clothes wet. He puts on his cowboy boots, cowboy hat and jumps in his truck. David and I get in also. And I'm thinking ok. This is crazy lol this guy's nuts. We make it to the store and Chris pulls up to the pump (this whole time I'm thinking David's going to take care of this). About that time he jumps out of the truck and starts pumping gas dressed only in his boxers, boots and hat! I laughed so hard! I thought surely this was going to be a problem but it wasn't. See, everyone knew Chris. Being small towns everyone pretty much knew everyone.. except me. I was new to the area.
Over the years, although David and I didn't stay together. Him, Chris and I were still good friends and hung out a LOT for many of those years.
Another story just popped into my mind I want to jot down. This happened while David and I were still dating.
One day, David and I were riding back roads. I think we were headed to the deer camp... Anyways. We're slowly easing down the road when ahead of us something crossed the road. David instantly started saying "what was that?!" And comes to a stop where whatever had crossed. He kept repeating. What WAS that?! I kept saying it looked like someone dressed in a suit. But he was saying things like nah.. think it was a bear or Bigfoot. We get it off the truck and walked too the wood line. David's bent over looking in the woods trying to get me to look. Asking me do I see it? Still claiming it was a bear or Bigfoot. And if course I do see it .. about 10ft into the woods I could see something behind a tree. And kept saying I think it's sometime dressed up. I had NO idea this was a set up...
About that time, Chris, dressed in a dang gorilla suit came running straight at me. (I think they were expecting me to scream and run). I braced myself, lowered my right shoulder and flipped him onto his back. Omgosh, David hit the ground he was laughing so hard. Hollering she got you Chris! I can't believe you let her get you! (Chris almost 6ft.. I'm 5’3.5")
By this point my heart had settled down a bit from the shock of being charged at and I was laughing too. But very proud too! They knew I wasn't one to be messed with🤣🤣
They were like my best friends for several years. We went camping, fishing and riding back roads. I know we put THOUSANDS of miles on Chris's truck just riding around.
Chris and I became especially close after he got divorced this last time. He needed to talk, vent, or just ride around not talking but listening to music with a friend. And that's what we did for almost 2 years straight. Every day he's pick me up and we'd hit the back roads. We'd listen to music, talk and ride. (And don't judge or judge, idrc) but he'd have a beer and I'd have a joint. Top speed 30 on a rural road minding our own business. It's what we did and a lot of people still do around small towns out in the country.
Anyways.
I've not seen Chris much these past 4 years. See, during the time I rode with him daily I was married. People talked, we didn't care. My husband knew the truth. We were only friends. Hell, when I met Doug, David Chris and I were hanging out together. We were only ever just friends.
But I happened to have a breast cancer scare and Chris told me something I'll never forget. He said Doug was a lucky man. That he loved me and wished he could find a wife like me. I knew I needed to back off so he COULD find someone. Then we moved too and life got busy with Micah.
Sad to say Chris never got that relationship he wanted. And that breaks my heart. But it didn't keep him down. He had so MANY friends! Everyone within 100 mile radius knew of or have heard of Chris Bennett!
On Friday Sept 11th, he was found unresponsive and was taken to the hospital by ambulance. (I didn't know at the time.)
What's strange, is I hadn't thought about Chris in a while and he popped into my head as I was headed to pick up Doug from work Monday night. A song came on that always makes me think of Chris. And sure enough he was on my mind. After we got home. I got on FB which I RARELY do.. And saw his mom's post. That he was on a ventilator. I tried texting her and finally messaged her on messenger. She told me it wasn't good and told me what hospital. When I got there, I was informed they were removing life support at 5. They invited me to stay so I did. I thought I'd stay in the waiting room but, they wanted me with Chris if I wanted to be. So i was. I stood back by the door watching the monitor and could still see him. I watched one of my best friends take his last breath in this world. As hard as that was, I was so honored to be there with him and his family.
My ride home, I listened to music that we use to listen to. Trying to imagine a world where Chris isn't in it. This is difficult!
Oh wait... I forgot one I want to share one more. Last one I promise lol. Chris was a logger. Cut trees with heavy machinery. One weekend, he picked me up and we went to where they'd been clearing some timber. Anyways, I got to drive a skidder and a feller buncher. Y'all he let me cut a tree!!! I was scared but I did it! He was so tickled I didn't get it bogged up! 🤣🤣
Chris Bennett Dec 13,1971-Sept 16,2026.
Rest easy Bennett, till I see you again. ❤️