Author Archives: The Senator's Wife

About The Senator's Wife

I started this blog on a whim thinking it would be fun to write about politics while my husband served in the OK State Senate. The jury's still out on that, but having a front row seat on the sideline of Oklahoma politics has been one big adventure.

Prayer Day

While I was down at the Capitol on Monday, I happened to catch up with my Senator for a few moments as he was taking photographs with some students participating in the Legislative Page program.

He was giving them a brief history of the building, the art work and noting various points of interest around the room (like the new, electronic scoreboard)…

…because that’s what he does if you happen to be walking with him around that historic building! Anyway, while he was assuming the role of Capitol tour guide, I happened to notice a few pieces of paper lying on his otherwise very clean, first day of session desk! And, because I was nosey, or just curious, I started to read them and quickly noticed they were from the Senator’s constituents letting him know they had prayed for him on Sunday.

Wow. This touched my heart. Usually, the Senator has brought these pieces of paper with prayers on them home to share with us, but to see them lying on his desk in real time truly moved me. To think that someone, a stranger perhaps, had taken time out of their busy day to come to the Capitol…walk in his shoes, sit at his desk and pray for him….meant so much to me, and to him and we thank you for that.

My Day at the Capitol

Yesterday was the first day of the legislative session and I decided to make a day of it down at the marble palace. Maybe, because I woke up feeling a little nostalgic knowing that our family embarked on this political adventure roughly ten years ago.

Ten years sounds like a long time.

A lot can happen in ten years….

I was skinny and young ten years ago!

Maybe I caught a glimpse of the excitement from when I worked in Washington DC and the memories of those opening days of a congressional session. The anticipation, the proceedings, re-uniting with friends and acquaintances who only made appearances in ones life with the opening bell of a legislative session.

Maybe, I found myself remembering all those nights as our family ventured into the political arena ten years ago and the Senator was gone…. a lot. Gone for early meetings, receptions, ribbon cuttings, legislative dinners and long nights when the senate stayed in session way past our bedtimes. While I admired the dedication and the positive difference he was making, it’s safe to say, the kids and I spent a lot of quality time together. They were 3 and 7 and extremely proud of their daddy’s service, however his busy schedule made our time together a little more complicated. They would invariably notice his absence at dinner time, because sitting down as a family foursome had been such a steady part of our routine. It always made them sad to see their dad’s empty chair at the table. In fact, one time the kids set up a card table in our kitchen and informed me that on the nights daddy was working as a Senator, we would have our own special dinner at a three person table so we wouldn’t miss him.

Now, that they are teenagers, maybe they don’t look at his being gone in the same way. Or, maybe they do and we will be engaged in this conversation tonight as we talk about current events, what their dad is working on and reminisce about our infamous three person table! Regardless, I am most grateful that the Capitol is just a mere ten to twelve minutes away from our house and that the Senator gets see his children at some point every day. For many of his colleagues, the distance is much further and the time away from their families much greater.

Which brings me back to yesterday and my day at the Capitol.

Typically, on this first day of session, the Governor addresses the state of the ~~union~~ state and yesterday was no different. I decided to stick around and watch because my Senator had been asked to escort the Governor into the room which I thought was pretty cool stuff! While this is a traditional event marked with lots of photo-ops and pageantry, it also paints a fairly clear picture of what lies ahead for the upcoming legislative session.

Ahead of her speech, a Pastor from Southern Hills Baptist Church gave a rather lengthy, but relevant invocation. He prayed for many things, but his prayers included strength and peace for the marriages and children of those elected officials who spend so much time away from their families. I get that and I sincerely appreciated his words.

This time of year, even though it is full of excitement and anticipation of all the good one hopes can be accomplished, prayers for all are needed, indeed.

Standing O

Friday night was the Speaker’s Ball and I am still reeling in what a knock it out of the ballpark event it was. Flawless, Fabulous, Festive, Fun. Seriously, FUN! And, not one detail was left undone! For starters, everyone was decked out to the nines! So many pretty dresses and hair going on…. I think there is something about dressing up that inspires good behavior, even among adults! The flowers, the flowers the flowers…oh my goodness. A local florist, as in my neck of the woods florist, was responsible and did they turn a very large convention hall into an elegant ballroom. Simply stunning.

The program was short, sweet and uber appropriate for the occassion. There were no long, political speeches, or politicians pontificating on their agenda or personal accomplishments…just a relevant, ringing of the opening bell for the next legislative session by a very skilled and humble incoming Speaker of the House. These remarks, which followed a lovely dinner were met with such warm enthusiasm and a brief “intermission” while everyone grabbed a drink and place to watch the highlight of the evening…a concert by Diana Ross.

I have no words to describe her performance other than to give it a standing ovation! She looked and sounded the same as I remember her from…well, a long time ago. She is ageless, and energetic and so kind and adoring to her crowd. What a treat this was to experience. She even came back on stage in her sweats to say a final goodbye. Gotta love that!

After the concert, we stuck around and talked to some of our favorite people that we have met during my Senator’s time at the legislature…..including this guy…

…who is his Vice Chairman from Woodward on the Energy Committee. He also does a great immitation of my man which is what was going on in this picture! Let’s just say, I love being a fly on their wall from time to time as they certainly know how to work hard and play hard. His wife is lovely too, which makes it fun!

The next morning, I found some notes I jotted down on the program in my purse, i.e. I was really caught up in the moment. But love it when I do this cause it tends to capture what I was really thinking….So, here ya go!

Next time, find table location prior to entering ballroom. Walking from one end of room to the other during the invocation is not optimal.

Fashions were elegant. Nice mix of sophisticated and fancy…not the junior prom of the past. I’m only one in a short dress.

I love it when people have their hair fixed….why didn’t I think of this???

Introductions so appropriate. Five prominent officials have mic and didn’t overstay their welcome. How did that happen??!

Roses, hydrangeas, simple, elegant. creative display.

Love the lighted seating areas in the hall …

…and the ice sculptures. Oh my goodness, how do people do that! These were actually done by someone my Senator knows and has known for a longtime…evidently, he did a restaurant lease with him back in 1986….but, I digress!

Lauren Nelson… Miss America +National Anthem = perfection!

Proud to be an Oklahoman! Our state’s people are its greatest resource. Incredibly honored to be here.

Love that last one! So true!

This week marks the beginning of another legislative session which means my Senator will be busy, stressed and gone…a lot. Even so, his hard work and dedication to serve our great state has provided so many positive examples for our children. Just one of the many things I love about that man. The big, dark glasses are another!