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.
actingsoadultnow, sfrances, theharveygirls, signs and wonders, and 59 other people added this photo to their favorites.
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~BostonBill~ 53 months ago | reply
thanks so much, flickr friends! Happy New Year!
violaklis: It will happen when you least expect it. HNY 2U2.
Tafzeel 47 months ago | reply
Nice shot!! I like your stream!
Geniebell [deleted] 44 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] 41 months ago | reply
Seen in:
Eternally yours... (Post 1 - Award 2)
Églantine 41 months ago | reply
What a lovely story and memento!
A love-filled new year! What a wonderful wish! May it come true!
ricks.pics 41 months ago | reply
Wow. Great photo and wonderful love story. Thanks for sharing.
demarew 41 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 30 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....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
jennamber80 29 months ago | reply
that is beautiful.
sesibone 20 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.
bootpainter 9 months ago | reply
sweet and optimistic image..thanks for sharing.
LH2O_LA 9 months ago | reply
I love their story. Two marvelous souls.
Monique Kooijmans 5 months ago | reply
wonderful photo & story...
PHLB - Luc B 5 months ago | reply
A new parallel between you and me, Bill: my parents married the same year, father died and is missed dearly ....
We have a song here that states: as I grow older I look and act more and more like you, daddy. In your case, do you agree, disagree or just grin?
Happy New Year!
~BostonBill~ 4 months ago | reply