I think I’ve written about this once before, but here’s the story of my first Valentine from Don.
Sometime in late January of 1995, we ended up in Ocean Beach, the place where we met each other in July 1994. Even though we look as if we were in the water, we were standing on the sand. Unbeknownst to us, a photographer from the San Diego Union-Tribune was standing on the Ocean Beach Pier, taking pictures. He was working on an article with a Valentines Day Theme. We did not know that our picture was being taken. He approached us and asked whether we would consent to having it printed in the paper. After some thought, I vetoed the idea. This was still early on in our relationship, and I didn’t want everyone at the theater, as well as my students, talking about it. I think some of my students knew about us at this point, but we were working very hard to keep it private. I had visions of it being posted on a board at the theater and was uncomfortable with that.
Don asked the photographer if he could have a copy of the photo, but the company policy was that you only got a copy if you consented to let them print it. Ah, well.
Soon after that, I left for the annual audition tour, where we auditioned prospective students in NYC, Chicago, and San Francisco. I was away for about two weeks. While I was on the last leg of the tour in San Francisco, I came down with the flu and was terribly ill. I finally had to leave SF a day early because I couldn’t work and being ill in a hotel is the pits. Don picked me up at the airport. I think it was February 13th.
I was still quite ill on the following day, but Don came over to my apartment to wish me a Happy Valentines Day. I think he had some flowers for me and a few other treats. One of the packages contained this framed photo.
What???? How did you get this? How did this happen??
Well. Don can be very charming, as you know. And relentless, if necessary. He decided to contact the reporter and see if he just might change his mind. It took a while, but Don finally persuaded him that we would keep it secret, would not publicize it, that it was something we could keep private. The photographer made a copy of the photo and Don picked it up.
And he surprised me with it on Valentines Day.
What a sweetheart he was – and is.
Later in the day after I had written my post on Wednesday, my eyes landed on this photo. It’s on the bookshelf in the den. I dusted it, tried my best to take a picture without glare coming from all the windows in the den, and here it is for you today.
My first, and still the best, Valentines Day gift from my husband.
(I miss being that thin. Don is stunned by his hair.)
Time marches on.
Stay safe.
Happy Friday.
love Love LOVE this story Claudia! Thanks for sharing!
You’re very welcome, Deb.
Stay safe.
What a lovely Valentine Day story. And it’s not posed. Two people in love ❤️who captured the phographer’s eye. Kudos to Don for being persistent. You must have been really surprised. Have a lovely weekend you two. Hugs, Elaine
Thank you, Elaine.
Stay safe.
What a beautiful story. Thanks for sharing it. We too were a work place romance and it makes the first days, weeks and months more difficult than you’d like trying to keep your colleagues from knowing and commenting on your budding work in progress relationship. Kudos to Don’s persistence so that you have this memory of those precious days always.
Take care,
Kay
Exactly. You have to have privacy to develop the relationship in a healthy manner.
Thanks, Kay.
Stay safe.
That is a great story…and a beautiful photograph. You’re lucky to have it!
Thank you, Barrie.
Stay safe.
Cool story…even cooler photo. Aren’t pictures from the past great…bringing up so many happy memories? Enjoy your day! ;)
Yes!
Stay safe, Donnamae.
This made my day! I am smiling with tears in my eyes. xo
Aw, thank you, Annette!
Stay safe.
Yours is a true love and it shows every time we see pictures of you and Don together. Have a wonderful loving weekend.
Thank you so much, Deb.
Stay safe.
dear Claudia/Don — what a wonderful memory — you all looked so in love — glad you have the pic and so generous to share it w/all of us. sometimes the grands will see a pic of the Mr and me, they always say “Wow, Nannie, your hair was NOT white but red and Pap HAD hair” Don’t you just love that ??? we sure do, haha!! sure hope you all stay safe/healthy
It’s hard to imagine our elders looking young! Or us looking young!
Stay safe, Linda.
What a fabulous treasure of a picture of a beautiful moment. I love it! (I treasure all our pictures more and more these days.)
Hope you and Don have a wonderful day!
I understand, Cathy. Bless you.
Stay safe.
This is absolutely wonderful, Claudia. (And boy — if that didn’t seal the Don deal, I don’t know what would!) Thanks for sharing that — I loved it.
And we all miss being that thin!
There were several things in those first few months that sealed the Don deal – this was definitely one of them.
Stay safe, Jeanie.
what a wonderful photo of a special moment (that’s lasted decades)! so glad the newspaper photographer relaxed and trusted that you and don wouldn’t misuse having that photo.
and what a treasured gift from your sweet don! so glad you have it and each other!
thanks for sharing the photo and story behind it with us here.
happy, safe friday to everyone.
kathy
Thank you, Kathy!
Stay safe.
What a beautiful story and photo. Your life together warms my heart and brings me to tears because it is so beautiful.
Take Care,
Kaye
Oh, that’s so sweet, Kaye.
Thank you.
Stay safe.
I love this story and the photo! Thank you for sharing.
It’s my pleasure, Denise.
Thank you.
Stay safe.
The photo speaks volumes. I love it. Thank you for sharing today; am so happy for you both.
Thank you, Vicki.
Stay safe.
Hi Claudia, you are so lucy to have a photo that captures a special moment in time. It is so evocative that we who look at it experience something as well. I so appreciate the sharing of your moments in life. You and Don are role models for living life in love and gratitude.
Thank you so much, Leora.
Stay safe.