“The power of a glance has been so much abused in love stories, that it has come to be disbelieved in. Few people dare now to say that two beings have fallen in love because they have looked at each other. Yet it is in this way that love begins, and in this way only.” ― Victor Hugo, Les Misérables
And so it was, from a glance across a crowded room on campus at the University of Washington, that it all began.
And continues, fifty years later.
A half-century has come and gone since we drove away on our honeymoon, the first of our Great Bug Adventures.
And now, a little green bug has shown up again, a gift from our children and grandchildren on the occasion of our recently celebrated 50th Wedding Anniversary.
So, on down the road we travel, side-by-side in our cramped compartment, our memories similarly crowding our thoughts, their expressions most often shared in laughter, and on occasion tears.
Many have been the days of weariness in our long pursuit of what matters: one-another, and family, and community, often requiring rest stops at scenic vistas where we regain perspective, to enjoy the view.
I know this: I could not want for a better traveling companion.
Of such a one St. Jerome wrote: ‘Procul, et de ultimis finibus pretium ejus.’
Translated it means, “You may go to the ends of the earth to find her equal in value.”
I did not have to go that far.
I found her across a crowded room.
David, when David Anderson comes to my mind, the word “AMAZING” immediately comes to mind too.
You are amazing in so many ways. 50 years of marriage is amazing.
Owning and driving a classic VW Beedle is amazing.
You are an amazing writer.
Your involvement with Bill’s Boathouse is amazing.
Your participation on the Clover Park School Board is amazing.
Your assistance to generations of local kids through your baseball program is amazing.
Your entire life adventure with its many facets is amazing.
It is my hope that when I am older, I can be amazing like you. I have been married to my 1st wife for 56 years, so that is a start. But, noone gave me my first car, a 1954 Ford Victoria 2 door hardtop with dual glass pack mufflers and chrome valve covers.
Thanks for sharing your positive and optomistic article in The Suburban Times.
Joseph Boyle – Former Lakewood Resident 51 years.
This brings to mind my own experience 43 years ago, half way around the world. There is such a thing as love at first sight.
Some enchanted evening, you may see a stranger
You may see a stranger across a crowded room
And somehow you know, you’ll know even then
That somewhere you’ll see her again and again
Some enchanted evening, someone may be laughing
You may hear her laughing across a crowded room
And night after night, as strange as it seems
The sound of her laughter will sing in your dreams
Who can explain it, who can tell you why?
Fools give you reasons, wise men never try
Some enchanted evening, when you find your true love
When you hear her call you across a crowded room
Then fly to her side and make her your own
Or all through your life, you may dream all alone
Once you have found her, never let her go
Once you have found her, never let her go
Musical South Pacific…..Rogers and Hammerstein as sung by Ezio Pinza
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktvnNhwBaeY
John Arbeeny,
You helped me recall what happened in my life 61 years ago. Having transferred from a Seattle school to Puyallup High School (PHS), I was what you could call a “dater” from the big city. I had a list of PHS girls I wanted to take out for things like dinner, skating, dancing, or a movie. Nothing too serious. Oh, and there was bow and arrow shooting.
During 1st period of my senior year, I looked across the classroom and spotted a young lady who was in the Top Ten of our class. It was love at first sight.
I learned later that a lot of guys did not have the confidence to date such an intelligent girl. Having never attended kindergarten and having attended 1st grade twice, I had the confidence to ask her out, but chose not to. My fear of dating her was for a different reason. Remember, I was playing the field and did not want to become too serious with anyone and end up getting married at too young an age. My dad, who happily married at age 22, warned me to not get married too early in life. “Once you are married, you are married.” he said. I thought this young girl, compared to all the other girls I was interested in dating, was dangerous in that if I asked her out, we would get serious.
I held fast until the last day of school when I asked if I could call her that summer. She said, “Yes, you may.” When I asked her for her phone number, she informed me her number was in the book. I wonder to this day if she was playing hard to get.
Luckily for me, having just graduated from high school, I knew my alphabet. Within a week I looked up her phone number in the thin Puyallup phone book and we were off for our first two dates which included a drive to Point Definance Park in my hot 1954 Ford Victoria, and dinner and a show at the origianl Steve’s Gay 90’s Restuarant located on South Tacoma Way.
Well, she prooved to be dangerous for a batchelor like me. We dated for 4 years, after which she became my first wife, which was 56 years ago.
I did follow my father’s advice though. He got married young at age 22. Using maximum intelligence and self discipline, I did not marry until I was 23.
I hope some Suburban Times readers enjoyed this true story.
I am still married to my 1st wife. She is just as dangerous today as she was 61 years ago. I am reminded of that every time I see her across the room.
Joseph Boyle
Once again I echo Joe Boyle’s comments and thank David for the positive thoughts and memories.
So much of that is lost or missing in today’s world. I was blessed with 57 years of marriage to my husband and yes there were 2 VW’s in our life. But the NYC subway system substituted for those in that first year of new love and romance.
Former resident Lakewood resident 59 years
Congratulations. There are some things we can agree on. I looked across a crowded room 48 years ago and told my friend “I don’t think she’ll go out with me, but I’m going to see what happens.” We went on our first date in my yellow VW and drove it away from the church when we were married two years later.
Don Anderson, yours is a fun story. I should say, yours is a fun story, too!
Joseph Boyle