I swear I must be the only blogger on the planet who gets harassed by his readers if not exactly on schedule each week. Some folks must set their sun dials by me, it seems.
Well, I was busy on Friday - remember it was Independence Day. We had a Chris Lee All Star baseball game and dinner at Spy Mommy's, followed by Leesburg fireworks which were great. And Saturday, I got roped into doing the VA side of the Carlson War Memorials Tour, so I was pretty whipped when I got home.
So, today I am going to rewind the clock and talk about the
3rd of July, another day we Carlsons celebrate.
On 3 July 1967, Miss Victoria Nelson agreed to go on a date with me for the first time.
She and her boyfriend had recently broken off and my girlfriend had gone home with her parents, so both of us were unattached in Berlin, at the height of the Cold War.
I asked if she would like to join me for dinner at the French Officer's Club, where I would demonstrate my French language proficiency and my general savoir faire.
She accepted.
Unfortunately, I had failed to check with the French to see if their club was open that evening, which it was not. So much for savoir faire...
Well, we were stuck in the French Sector of Berlin,so we went
to the French Volksfest, a bit overdressed, but what the heck. We had a great time, and I even spoke a little French. And that was 41 years ago, last Thursday.
We got engaged in Hawaii in 1969, while I was on R&R from Vietnam and were married in December of that year at Fort Douglas, Utah.
And it's been a wild ride ever since.
Special prayers this week for my dear
friend, LadyJosh, who has contracted breast cancer after successfully having fought renal cancer several years ago. You can follow her story at http://jeansgreenandpinkribbons.blogspot.com. She is a nurse and former police detective, so be prepared for the truth about cancer, not the pablum I have fed you as I have become a Leatherneck.
Next week, the Queen and I are taking a weekend trip to Kirtland, Ohio to check out some Mormon historical sites. So, no blog from me this Friday.
Jean and friends, I'll see you on the high ground!
8 comments:
"Life is the flower for which love is the honey." Victor Hugo. You are two lovely people who deserve every minute of your getaway trip to Ohio!
I'm sure glad you took her out on that first date. If you hadn't, well, I wouldn't be typing this comment. Love you both! Keep it up Daddy, I love your blog!
and that's when Ken and Barbie fell in love...
Actually while we know you are Ken, I think the Queen is miles ahead of Barbie. You done good.
"My night has become a sunny dawn because of you." --Ibn Abbad
How sweet. Thank you for sharing your story with us. I love hearing how people meet and fall in love.
May I be the first to whine that you aren't going to blog again next Friday??
Queenie, I'm LOVIN' the huge bow on your veil. Ken, did you have to bust out some of your Ranger moves to fight through the veil for your kiss at the altar?
Hawaii was a good place during the Vietnam War. My parents met there for R&R in 1970. One of my favorite pictures of them is at a luau with my Mom in a bright fushia muu-muu and my Dad in a matching shirt.
There is a long list of people who are glad you took Miss Victoria Galore out on that first date, and it goes way beyond your family. Love you guys!
Thanks that we have each been a part of the others memories for a long time. Glad to have you both in my life.
Spymommy thanks for your nice comments on my blog. It has been fun to follow Kernal Ken and the Queen Vee's children during your fathers fight with cancer. Also, thank you all for your warm thoughts and prayers.
Once again as Bob Hope use to say Thanks for the memories. Jean/LadyJosh
I loved the story about your first date. You guys are so cute. Love you both.
As Sue has so aptly stated, my bow headpiece and veil are ugly. It was the late sixties and just at the start of one of the most horrendous design decades, the 70's. Either I was born too early or too late for beautifully designed wedding gowns.
Despite my lack of chic wedding apparel the "Big Guy" and I have managed to stay married for almost 39 years which I think says it all.
Now I think I'll just BOW out of this comment.
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