Dennis McSwain

About ten years ago, I was going to a church in Rockingham, and a guy I never seen before started attending services there. I really didn't think much of it because new faces are always coming and going. After a few weeks went by I noticed this guy was still attending and before long, he was a part of the musicians of the church. The church I am talking about is called Jesus First Free Will Baptist and the guys name is Dennis McSwain.

Dennis was playing the drums, I was on the bass along with another guitar player and a piano player. In my spare time I had a band I was playing in and one day one of the guys in the band was saying how he would like to find a keyboard player. As soon as he said that I knew just the guy. Dennis played the drums but played the keyboard even better. I approached Dennis with an invitation and before you know it, he was a part of group. Since he and I were a part of the church group and a part of this band.. we got to know each other pretty dang quick. Come to find out we had a lot in common and before long we had a good friendship going. To make a long story short, things eventually died out with the band and I guess you can say... that was that.
I started dating this girl from the church and Dennis had his heart set on someone as well. We had some good times because we were all friends and we always hung out together. After a while, things started to fall apart between me the girl I was dating but Dennis was still going strong with his girl. All of a sudden I found myself all alone. I don't remember everything exactly the way it happened but for some crazy reason both Dennis and I started going in different directions with our lives. Eventually, I moved away and just like that, I thought my good ole friend Dennis was never to be heard of again. I knew I would see him sometime another but I'm talking about the good fellowship you share with your best friends. You see when Dennis and I were hanging out, I could act goofy, stupid, serious or however I wanted to act and he never ridiculed me in any way... he just laughed at me. That was one of the things that made his friendship to me so valuable. You know we all have our goofy and dumb ways about something. Dennis was that person that just didn't care, he was just my friend.

Earlier this year, I came in contact with Melodie, which is now wife to Dennis... and was invited to homecoming at Jesus First Church. From that moment on I was reunited with my good friend Dennis. I set that whole day aside just to spend time with those folks I have missed so much and at the same time, made myself a little promise. No matter what, I am going to do everything I can to keep in touch with the people that mean the most to me.

Since then Dennis and his wife came up our way for some shopping and then later on we met up for some dinner and fellowship. Before long we were back to our same ole goofy ways again. Sometimes I like to think back on those times when we were hanging out. We would always go grab some Chinese food.... I ain't never in my life ate so much Chinese food but boy it was good eating..... heck I think we kept some of those restaurants in business since we ate there so much. Sesame chicken didn't have a chance if McSwain and Bunn come walking through the door.... yea we tore it up that's for sure. To me, you couldn't ask for a better friendship from someone. Thanks Dennis. A very special Thanks to Melodie because she was the one that invited me to homecoming. If I didn't attended that service, I would not be reconnected with my friend.

This story is dedicated to Dennis and Melodie McSwain. Thanks again