I loved the story and photos Barb Cabot posted on her blog, of how she and her husband Mike met. They've been together over 30 years, and it was fun to see the "then" and "now" photos. I also loved the romantic story shared by Palma, and the photo of her with Brad in their early days. They inspired me today-- Valentine's Day-- to share the story of how Charley and I met and share a couple of our old photos too.
Charley and I found each other later in life. We met in August 1991 when he was 46 and just before I turned 36. He had been divorced about five years after a 20-year marriage to his college girlfriend, and had two daughters, age 16 and 21.
I was a very driven career woman and had never been married. I was engaged briefly when I was only 18 to my high school boyfriend (thank goodness that didn't work out!) and lived with my college boyfriend while we were in graduate school together in Philadelphia. We didn't end up taking jobs in the same city and drifted apart. Later I had a couple of relationships with older men, one of which lasted on-and-off for maybe eight years until finally he married someone else, a woman his own age. As I approached my 36th birthday, I had many close friends, a loving family (all 500 miles away), a great job, decent money, a nice home, but not that special person to love.
I decided to buy a brand-new BMW and worked with a salesman named Dan to make the purchase. The car I ordered was being shipped in from another state, and I made an appointment with Dan to go and pick it up. When I arrived at the dealership, Dan was waiting for me. "I have another appointment," he said. "But Charley will go over the car with you."
I didin't understand why Dan would make an appointment with me and then make another appointment at the same time, but I was very excited about this fancy car. So I shook hands with Charley and got in the car while he spent at least 30 minutes showing how everything worked. When I got out of the car, there was Dan.
"Well, what did you think?!" he asked. He was very excited.
"I love the car. It's great," I said.
"No, no! Not the car! Charley! What did you think about Charley??!"
Dan told me that Charley had seen me visiting the dealership and wanted to ask me out. Could he give Charley my phone number? (There was no other appointment...)
"Is he single?" I asked, a little bit wary based on past experience.
Yes, Charley was single, divorced for several years. The whole idea of a car salesman was a little concerning to me, but I thought back to a conversation I had with a friend just a few weeks ago. "You need to be more open to different sorts of men," she told me. "Everyone isn't defined by their job."
So I told Dan to give Charley my phone number. We had dinner a few weeks later and about six-and-a-half weeks after that we were engaged. My friends couldn't believe that I was marrying a man I had only known six weeks, and a car salesman too! The reality was that Charley was (and is) a very special man, with unusual talents and so many interests. He had spent most of his career in chemical sales and took the job selling BMWs as an interim job to get away from a job that involved 100% travel. Who would have ever thought I would find my soulmate while buying a BMW?! Neither of us were really looking for love just then, but we sure did find it.
I drove that BMW for 12 years. It had such a strong sentimental value to me, plus it was a very good car. And I still drive a BMW today.
We met in August 1991, had our first date in September, got engaged in November. We got married in May 1992 and had Kelly in July 1993. In less than two years my life really changed-- a husband, a roommate, a baby, a family. We went to London on our honeymoon, and that was the beginning of another new passion for both of us. We never would have dreamed the life that we've had together the past (almost) 17 years.
Here are a couple of old photos from our early years:
November 1991. A first photo so my parents could see their future son-in-law.
May 2, 1992. The first dance at our wedding.
September 18, 1993 (my 38th birthday). With baby Kelly, 8 weeks old.
May 2007 in Provence
Comments (14)
Kathy, thanks for sharing these photos of a beautiful couple/family! And I love hearing the BMW story. May you forever drive a BMW!
Posted by cubbies | February 14, 2009 8:59 PM
Posted on February 14, 2009 20:59
Kathy,
I just love all of your then and now photos! Thank you so much for sharing them with us!
It IS wonderful to find a soulmate, no matter where it happens.
Posted by nancyhol | February 14, 2009 10:14 PM
Posted on February 14, 2009 22:14
Great story! Just think how your life would be so different if you decided to buy a Mercedes instead!
Posted by girasoli | February 15, 2009 12:05 AM
Posted on February 15, 2009 00:05
Kathy, Thank you so much for sharing. I just adore you, Charley and your beautiful daughter Kelly. What a treat to relive your first meeting and your beginnings. Love the romance. I'm so glad you posted this. Wonderful story and photos.
Posted by Barb Cabot | February 15, 2009 12:30 AM
Posted on February 15, 2009 00:30
Thank you for sharing your life with us! What a beautiful story...you and Charlie are truly blessed!
Posted by Brenda | February 15, 2009 12:33 AM
Posted on February 15, 2009 00:33
What a sweet story. Thanks for sharing. And your phtots are beautiful.
Posted by candi | February 15, 2009 7:42 AM
Posted on February 15, 2009 07:42
Kathy - this is a great story. I really like the idea that a person isn't defined by their job - there is a powerful message there. It is amazing how taking a chance can really turn one's life around.
Posted by Jerry | February 15, 2009 7:59 AM
Posted on February 15, 2009 07:59
Glad all of you enjoyed the story and photos!
Yes, it is amazing how sometimes one small decision or event can send your life in a dramatically different direction!
Posted by kaydee | February 15, 2009 10:03 AM
Posted on February 15, 2009 10:03
Cool story, Kathy. An object lesson for the old saying "All things in their own time."
Posted by Deborah | February 15, 2009 11:16 AM
Posted on February 15, 2009 11:16
Lovely story and photos! Thanks for telling us.
Posted by Pauline | February 15, 2009 7:35 PM
Posted on February 15, 2009 19:35
Wonderful photos and story. Thank you for sharing.
Posted by ChrisV | February 15, 2009 8:31 PM
Posted on February 15, 2009 20:31
Kathy, what a romantic story! Your photos are just wonderful - I really enjoyed seeing the two (three) of you at earlier times.
You both look so happy together, both then and now. FYI, Stu and I got engaged 3 months after we met, and tied the knot 2 months after that!
Posted by Terry (teaberry) | February 15, 2009 8:46 PM
Posted on February 15, 2009 20:46
Well, I have to say I've enjoyed all the comments on this post. Thank you all. Maybe I will have to share more personal stories! (I didn't get many comments when I posted photos of the statues around the capitol in Nashville!)
Terry, that is interesting about you and Stu. My parents got married when they were 18 and 20, after something like six dates. They eloped! (What is really shocking about this is that my mom was only three years older than Kelly is now.) They have now been married 55 years.
Posted by kaydee | February 15, 2009 9:53 PM
Posted on February 15, 2009 21:53
That is indeed a special story, thanks for sharing, AND with pictures, too. I might have to try mine, but my technical skills are pretty limited, so it would have to be in black and white, that is sans photos.
Posted by Marcia | February 17, 2009 4:03 PM
Posted on February 17, 2009 16:03