Tuesday, April 21, 2015

How did I meet my Wife?



That's easy! I have know her since I was ten years old! Not so fast -- the story is a little more complicated than that. Let me start at the beginning. We moved to Bellflower when I was ten year s old -- almost 11. The whole family started attending the First Baptist Church after I was baptized. One of the girls that I met in my Sunday school class was Eleanor Carper who had two other sisters (but they were just little kids!) I did meet the little kids also because my mother made friends with Eleanor's mother, Zelma. Thus, I became acquainted with both Linda and Donna, although I certainly didn't notice them much at the time.

Eleanor became a close friend during high school. She was a year younger than I but we were in several classes together at school and we were both in the honor society. But, as with most of my friendships, it was the church that really kept the friendship alive. We were both leaders in the youth groups, both in Jr. High and Sr. High. We actually dated a couple of times -- but I think that we both knew that we were just good friends and that was good enough. Our friendship continued in our college years, even though she went to (ugh!) USC. I had to attend an opera for Music Appreciation class and Eleanor went with me. My vocal teacher wanted me to learn to pronounce French for my singing -- she was quite proficient in French -- but even with her tutoring -- I didn't get French! All during those years, I was aware of her little sisters, but awareness was all there was -- after all I was a mature college man! (I should probably also add that I was a proud UCLA man.)

Then I joined the Navy! I still considered myself a friend of Eleanor. I remember running into Eleanor in San Francisco in the Summer of 1961. We had dinner together -- but by then I had begun to notice that little Linda was growing up. It happened when I came home for Christmas leave from Naval Officer Candidate School. The week after Christmas, one of my friends, Richard Serafini, said that he and his girl friend were going to Big Bear for the day and maybe I would like to make it a double date. He also mentioned that he and his girl friend thought it would be nice if I went with Linda Carper. OK -- sounds alright with me. Wow was I surprised. She certainly had grown up! I really enjoined the day. I have to add that, as much as I enjoined being with her, I don't move fast. This was December, 1960 and we didn't get married until July, 1965. Commitment didn't come easy for me -- but something happened on that one day. I think I knew even then that she was the one.

To be Continued!