I first met Ricky when we were 16 years old. He was a grill cook and I was a waitress at Shoney's in South Charleston and that's how our friendship began. He had this long bushy hair and when he smiled his whole face , especially his eye, lit up. He was always telling jokes and pulling pranks with the entire crew. He brought laughter and joy to our work place. We began talking outside of work on the phone. As you all know he was a great problem solver with a sense of humor that would turn a frown upside down! I sure had the issues and he had the heart to listen. As friends you share conversations that are good and bad with one another. I would say, as friends, we got to know each other very well. I asked if he would like to go to my junior prom with me and he thought that sounded like a good time, thus agreed. When I first came by to visit at his grandmothers home to meet her, there was an immediate kinship. She was so sweet and her love for Ricky was so obvious. I felt being there with her love surrounding him was the best place he could be. She wanted to see us dressed in our Prom attire and although out of the way, we kept our promise. Ricky was embarrassed with her having so many pictures taken, but I thought it was sweet. We went to the Prom and afterwards out for breakfast It was a good and fun outing with Ricky. I moved away after a year, but we kept in touch for quite awhile. Our lives went different directions, both marrying and having families so needless to say we lost touch. Around two plus years ago we reconnected on facebook and spent time both chatting and talking. We both had serious medical issues so we did talk about that quite a bit wondering who was going to go first. My home had flooded and I had lost all my pictures and when we talked about the prom I mentioned that to him. He said great, he could help me out. His grandmother had kept our photo framed and when she died he took it thinking that I might like to have it. As we talked periodically he would always apologize about not going through the boxes he saved of his grandmothers belongings to get the picture for me. It was a special memory and Ricky wanted me to have it. He said that would have been what his grandmother would have wanted. It Never transpired, nor did us meeting to catch up. Although Ricky is gone, I still see his smiling eyes and face. I still here his laughter and joking. I remember him talking with such pride about his family and what they meant to him. He missed them so much, but they were always on his mind and in his heart! He cherished them above all. As everyone knows Ricky also cherished his motorcycle. He was anxious to get it back in shape, for as you know,it was also a love of his life! He said when I am riding I am free! No pain and no worries are on my mind. So that is the story of Ricky & Louann's friendship! Ricky, I will miss you the rest of my life and think of you often. It is over now and you can be pain and worry free! Remember our forever promise, so you will meet me at the gate with a great big smile and hug. Fly with the Angel's now my dear friend and enjoy an eternity of peace and comfort.