While living in Savannah, Georgia in the mid 90s, I dated a country music radio disc jockey named JP (John Paul). After a few months of dating, JP brought me home to Kentucky to meet his father John Paul Miller (Sr.).

John Paul Miller was a quiet, confident, and smart man with great presence. He, along with his father, Paul Miller, built a successful car dealership business in Lexington, Kentucky. The Miller Family was well known among the finest social circles and were invited to many events. John Paul Miller was classy and cultured.

I got to know John Paul over dinner at a local restaurant. It was then, that a common dining ritual would be implemented into my routine.

A waiter came to pour water into our glasses and John Paul asked him for lemons. At that point in my life, I had never noticed anyone putting lemon in their water. I had been to many restaurants, and I’m sure people around me had put lemon in their waters, but I never really noticed this common practice….until dinner with The Millers.

When the waiter brought over a plate of lemon wedges, JP instructed me to squeeze one of them over my glass of water. I looked at him with puzzlement and noticed that John Paul was waiting for me to do the same. JP squirmed at my uncomfortable pause. I think he wanted to impress his father with his new girlfriend, and was worried that I just gave a reason for his father not to like me. John Paul gave me an understanding smile and began to explain the benefits of having lemon in my water.

Basically, lemons aid digestion.They are high in minerals and vitamins and help loosen toxins in the digestive tract. Drinking a glass of water before a meal helps you to feel fuller faster which prevents overeating. The combination of lemon and water helps to maintain your weight and can even help you to lose weight. Oh, and John Paul also mentioned that the vitamin C in lemons helps decrease wrinkles and blemishes. I assumed that was one of the reasons why he looked so good for his age!

Over the years, I became a health-conscious fitness fanatic. I’ve discovered many more benefits of drinking lemon water and it has become part of my daily routine. I regularly squeeze lemons into my water and think of John Paul Miller every time I do. While my romantic relationship with JP did eventually sour, I am grateful for the lemons left behind.