Mom and Daddy - A Love Story

My dad attempted to get into the service twice and was rejected because he had scars on his lungs. I think that was probably the heartbreak of his life. His three brothers served in different branches of the service and his sister was an Army Nurse. All four were in action during World War II. My mother was the fifth of 12 children. She worked as a civilian secretary for the United States Navy. Mom and Daddy met about 1940. At that time, Daddy worked as a cook in the Neu Bridge Restaurant. He then bought the Neu Bridge Service Station next to the restaurant and had an accounting business. Mom and Daddy met when Mom stopped with some friends at the restaurant while Daddy was working. It must have been love at first sight. Their courtship began. They would live for the weekends when Mom would take the train the 23 miles to see Daddy or Daddy would drive 23 miles to see Mom.During those days, young people that were dating wore more formal attire than they do today. Mom said that Daddy asked her what she was wearing so that his suit would not clash with her clothing. Mom described those years to me as romantic times. She and Daddy loved to dance to the orchestras of the era. Alas, there were problems and Mom and Daddy broke up for three months. They reunited and were married in a beautiful winter wedding on January 17, 1944. They visited New York City for their honeymoon.

I was born and my sister followed four years later. Mom had some medical problems and was unable to have more children. My sister and I had fairy tale childhoods. Every Sunday we drove to see my mother's parents and we saw our father's family almost every day. We were close to our cousins and shared in family activities. Unlike many fathers of that era, Daddy attended all of our special events. There was never a day that Daddy didn't tell Mom, my sister, and me that he loved us. We were also taught that sisters do not fight with each other - and we never did. Today my sister is my best friend. My sister and I were secure in our parents' love for us and for each other.

I think that Mom and Daddy looked so stylish during their dating days.

January 17, 1944

Daddy passed away suddenly on June 27, 1973. Mom never was interested in spending time with a man - although she did have pursuers. Mom said that there were no men as good as Daddy. She never got over losing Daddy. Mom lived alone until her passing on March 9, 2003.