A Toast to Lost Love: The Historical Romance of Dr Pepper
And my family’s connection to the Coke brand.
Get ready to dive into the intriguing world of Dr Pepper, where the tale of lost love and historical romance will leave you spellbound. Join me in raising a toast to this fascinating story that will take you on a journey through time.
A Virginia Romance and the Dawn of a Texas Legacy
In the gentle embrace of 1880s Virginia, a love story unfolded that would leave a lasting impact beyond the realm of the heart. Wade Morrison, an assistant to a pharmacist, found himself deeply in love with his employer’s daughter. Unfortunately for Morrison, their love wasn’t meant to be as Morrison was considered too old by her father for the young lady. He was advised to seek opportunities elsewhere and ended up in Waco, Texas.
There, amidst bottles and potions, Morrison honored his lost love by naming his new soda creation after the father of his beloved, Dr. Kenneth Pepper. Dr. Pepper had given him a job, a sense of purpose, and a brighter future. Was the name given out of honor or spite? Dr Pepper might be called anything else if it exists in some alternate universe timeline.
My Grandfather’s Clock: A Coca-Cola Company Man
When I was growing up, I used to be fascinated by my grandfather’s Dr. Pepper clock. Its pendulum used to swing back and forth, keeping time with my childhood curiosity. The clock face had the words “23 flavors of vigor and vitality” engraved on it, an ancient elixir steeped in timelessness that filled my budding brain with curiosity and my tastebuds with bliss.
Was it the taste of sarsaparilla that gave it a unique flavor, or was it the combination of cherry sweetness and vanilla warmth? Did licorice, almond, and apricot blend to create that liquid symphony? These flavors sparked my imagination, and I tried to guess the secret concoction with every sip.
My grandfather had a Dr Pepper clock because he was a salesperson for The Coca-Cola Company. He served the company for 43 years, dedicating his life to it. His loyalty was glorified by the Coca-Cola logo engraved with machine precision onto his tombstone, symbolizing his lifetime’s work.
His dedication was so highly regarded that Coca-Cola representatives attended his funeral, reef in hand, to honor him for having been a company man for decades. My mother always told me that while growing up in their house, getting caught with a Pepsi was as bad as getting caught with pot.
My mother told me once the reason she doesn’t buy Coca-Cola a lot for the home was because she considers it her alcohol. She likes it that much, but these days she enjoys it like you should want anything good — in moderation. My father, also born in the 1950s, told me that having a Coke as a child was surpassed only by Christmas morning. He also hunted squirrels for food, so you can get where he was coming from. People didn’t drink it with every meal; it was a luxury good.
I spent my years before kindergarten in a collection of identical bright red Coca-Cola shirts that were so big on me that they were like an older woman’s moo-moo. I had an aversion to underwear and pants, and my toddler uniform was “Always Coca-Cola.” So free — yet so refreshing! When I started kindergarten, my mother would lay out my clothes for school each morning on the living room sofa. Like a rogue in red, I would hide the underwear in the cushions.
I’ll never forget when my mother finally lifted the cushion one fateful day to find my treasure trove of tighty-whities. Once, when going to a movie as a child, my father told me, “You know, son, they check little boys for underwear at the door.”
I quickly ran out of the room to make a quick fix to my outfit. Don’t worry; I finally overcame my fear of underwear somewhere mid-elementary school, and movie theaters worldwide have done away with what I always found to be a strange practice.
My Best Friend’s Non-negotiable Wedding Vows
The allure of Dr Pepper permeates into our everyday lives. It’s even present in the heartfelt vows exchanged between my friends on their wedding day. While helping him write his vows, I asked my friend if he thought including Dr Pepper in his wedding vows was wise. He told me to trust him and that it was non-negotiable.
During the wedding ceremony, the groom shared a simple line about how he would always share his Dr. Pepper with his bride, as it held a special memory and an inside joke between them. Though it wasn’t part of my original draft (I took my best man role very seriously), he insisted on mentioning it, and when he spoke the words, his bride smiled and laughed with tears in her eyes.
Interestingly, a line from this writer’s haiku made it into the inscription on the groom’s wedding band chosen by the bride. Although it’s unclear whether the bride knows the line belongs to this particular writer, the writer is happy nonetheless. Cheers to the happy couple!
As you hold a can of Dr Pepper, remember the stories it carries within. This drink contains a rich narrative of love, legacy, and curiosity. With each sip, take a moment to savor the taste, history, and joy in life’s everyday moments. May these simple pleasures inspire you to appreciate the richness of life itself.
I discovered Dr Pepper’s origin in a book called ‘Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader: Extraordinary Book of Facts and Bizarre Information’ over a decade ago. Published in 2006 by Portable Press. Morrison’s story of naming the drink after his unrequited love stayed with me. The book remains a treasure, reminding me of the many stories that enrich our understanding of the world, like the flavors in Dr Pepper.
…
🌟 Stay Connected and Support My Work! 🌟
Hey there! Please follow me on Medium to stay updated with my latest articles. If you like what you read, consider supporting me with a tip on BuyMeACoffee. Thank you for being a part of my journey!
