Happy New Year!
My parents met on a blind date on New Year’s Eve in 1952. At the end of that first date, at about 4am in the morning, my father proposed marriage to my mother. They formalized their engagement on Valentine’s Day 1953 and had a June wedding in that same year. My father died in May 2003, just three weeks short of their 50th wedding anniversary. We miss him dearly.
This photo of my parents is not from that fateful first date but was taken just a few years later at a New Year’s Eve party in the mid 1950’s. I’ve always imagined that this picture pretty much sums up what that first date would have looked like. Love at first sight? The father that I knew was anything but spontaneous and he resisted change of any sort. Even growing up with full knowledge of this story, I was always a bit skeptical that such a thing could really happen in today’s world. And then I met my wife. But that’s another story.
Here’s wishing you a happy, prosperous, and dare I say it, love-filled New Year, flickr friends! Hey, stay out of trouble.
Comments and faves
actingsoadultnow, sfrances, theharveygirls, signs and wonders, and 55 other people added this photo to their favorites.
ora_mia (54 months ago | reply)
Wonderful and moving. I love the frame and the cracking of the paper. Best wishes to you!
Seen in FELT LIFE
Monsieur Pauℓ (54 months ago | reply)
Thank ypu for sharing this story. I'm truly moved
trickyvickylynn (54 months ago | reply)
That is a beautiful story and what an awesome picture.. My parents met on a blind date too! ..Its hard to believe that there is love at first sight but We have Proof!
Graustark (54 months ago | reply)
What a great story and photo! It is mysterious how this whole love thing works. But it does!
FlickrCrazy Guy (54 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Say it with a photograph, and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.
FlickrCrazy Guy (54 months ago | reply)
Added:
greetings-condolencences.blogspot.com/2007/12 /happy-new-y...
meshel [deleted] (54 months ago | reply)
ooh i looooove it!!!! yay!
Just some dust (54 months ago | reply)
I love the eye contact your mom is making with the camera. She looks so happy. And Dad's having a good time, too.
(I'm also spending a long time checking out all the details of the room. My greatest supernatural wish is to be able to travel back in time. Old photos are almost as good, though.)
PinkTulip (54 months ago | reply)
What a great picture and wonderful story. Best of everything in 2008 BB!
Sarolina (54 months ago | reply)
Wow. I loved the story....thank you for it :0) I feel like I can picture your dad so well, letting out a side of himself that was only susceptible to true love. It's inspiring, really...
Leonardo Martins (54 months ago | reply)
What a cool!
Happy New Year! :¬D
Angie Newsome (54 months ago | reply)
Beautiful.
emily hunt (54 months ago | reply)
that story made me tear up! what a darling thing to tell...
Tulip Girl (54 months ago | reply)
Lovely. Thank you for sharing.
I, Timmy (54 months ago | reply)
remarkable love story! have a great year Bill
--
Seen on your photo stream. (?)
~BostonBill~ (53 months ago | reply)
Thanks so much for all the comments flickerfolks. :)))
Dust, I love old photos too. They do work well as time machines. That faux cushioned wall paper and knotty pine paneling in this one just screams 1950's!
Sorry, I didn't want to make anyone cry, emily hunt{tabby-cat [(prairie-fire (ladybird_)]).
I hope everyone is having a great New Year.
Michael Ronquillo (52 months ago | reply)
Touching story, dude. Nice to meet you.
;)
~BostonBill~ (52 months ago | reply)
Many thanks, still. Pleased to meet you. Oh, and don't get confused with my name. I'm from Alexandria, VA too.
Michael Ronquillo (52 months ago | reply)
Yes. I figured your name had something to do with Boston Terriers. Otherwise, AlexandriaBill doesn't have the same ring to it. ;)
signs and wonders (52 months ago | reply)
Thanks Boston Bill for the invite here. Luv your pictures!
~BostonBill~ (52 months ago | reply)
Thanks kindly. I had just recently found that When Our Parents Were Hip group and, with your passion for old photos, thought you might be interested.
babybender [deleted] (42 months ago | reply)
lovely story and yes it happens, I can vouch for that after nearly 25 years. Have a great New Years, dunno about the stay out of trouble part, I'm old enough to know better but....
daniel.gene (42 months ago | reply)
wow, what an amazing story. thanks for sharing, bill!
ho_hokus (42 months ago | reply)
that's a super story, great with santa on the door too, all the best to you and yours.
|lauravisi| (42 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Six Million Years of Tinkering, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Splendid!
maria kojonen (42 months ago | reply)
amazing story, lovely picture
LostFoundAgain (42 months ago | reply)
what a story! It has me smiling, as does the photo. I'm still skeptical about something like that happening in the world of today though...
Kathleen Dallara Pennell (42 months ago | reply)
Great story &photo!
lozzaphoto (42 months ago | reply)
What a wonderful story :-)
PHLB - Luc B (42 months ago | reply)
BostonBill, I wish you all the best for the new year as well! All the best dear friend! Luc
Tin Green (42 months ago | reply)
A Happy and Photogenetic New Year to you!
tartalom (42 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called ~Hail Freedonia!~, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
two fine looking people, happy 2009, get in a little trouble, its good for the soul
PinkTulip (42 months ago | reply)
have a great year BB!
i_still_believe_in_u (42 months ago | reply)
wonderfully timeless composition, so charming!
hny!
hope all is beautiful - xoxo!
violaklis (41 months ago | reply)
the perfect date... i've always dreamt about such a date, and i'm still hoping it could happen!
HNY!!
~BostonBill~ (41 months ago | reply)
thanks so much, flickr friends! Happy New Year!
violaklis: It will happen when you least expect it. HNY 2U2.
Tafzeel (35 months ago | reply)
Nice shot!! I like your stream!
Geniebell [deleted] (32 months ago | reply)
Splendid! Perfect for our new group!
We would be honored if you would share it with us
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Eternally yours... by admin invitation only ~ Post 1 - Award 2, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
FotoBloke [deleted] (29 months ago | reply)
Seen in:
Eternally yours... (Post 1 - Award 2)
Églantine (29 months ago | reply)
What a lovely story and memento!
A love-filled new year! What a wonderful wish! May it come true!
brain66 (29 months ago | reply)
Wow. Great photo and wonderful love story. Thanks for sharing.
demarew (29 months ago | reply)
Thanks for sharing the wonderfuI story about your parents.
My own father (RIP, my reaI-Iife hero) was not quite 22 years oId when he returned to the US from aImost three years of combat in the Pacific in Iate faII, 1945. Within a coupIe of months he and my mother had met and married. Their marriage Iasted nearIy 62 years.
My father, Iike yours, was not known for being spontaneous. The day after his unexpecteded (to us, anyway) death after surgery, we Iearned that he had Ieft detaiIed pIans for his funeraI service, and had pinned aII his medaIs and ribbons in the proper pIaces on his oId dress uniform, asking that it be buried with him.
Just goes to show that the conventionaI wisdom about short engagements being Iess IikeIy to resuIt in Iong happy marriages may not be accurate.
AbbysMommy04 (18 months ago | reply)
What a BEAUTIFUL photo and a BEAUTIFUL story to go along with it!!!!!! :) My husband and I had a short engagement also. We met on May 10th, and he proposed to me June 10th of the same year. We've been VERY HAPPILY MARRIED for 11 years now!!!! We also met on a blind date! I just LOVE this....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
jenn1fer_m (17 months ago | reply)
that is beautiful.
sesibone (8 months ago | reply)
What a lovely photo and short story. How wonderful they were married for so many years. We can only hope and wish for that kind of commitment this day and age. Thanks for sharing ~Boston Bill~
P. S. Your parents were sure a great looking couple.