It's true.  I've met two first ladies, and they are both Republicans.  Evidently these formative experiences didn't have a major influence in my current political leanings!

I guess it was November of 1970, I was at a George Bush for US Senate rally in Corpus Christi, Texas.  My mom was active in the Republican party in Texas.  Believe it or not, at the time, the Republicans weren't doing very well in the state.  The Democrats were the dominant party, entrenched since the days of the Civil War.  Bush was a member of the "alternative" party!  In any event, my mom brought me over to meet a dark-haired Barbara Bush.  I honestly don't recall if she was wearing her trademark pearls. "Come meet Mrs. Bush, dear," and my mom lead me over to the matriarch for a friendly handshake.  Bush lost the election to Democrat Lloyd Bentsen who held the seat for decades (imagine a Democratic Senator from Texas!).

More interesting was my encounter with Betty Ford in 1976.  I ran into her at the mall at a campaign rally for her husband.  Now get this -- I was wearing an ERA button.  Remember the ERA?  Equal Rights Amendment .    Betty took one look at my button and said, "I like your button."  Wow, whatever happen to Republicans like that?    I'm not sure that she was very serious about her sobriety at the point, and perhaps we could dimiss it accordingly.  Still, given the current times, when we look back on these in the in the Republican camp they look absolutely progressive.

Aaaah, those were the good times!