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Nineteen Years Ago

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Nineteen years ago today, I was in the midst of my first full summer in San Diego. I was working at the University of San Diego and the Old Globe Theater. In those days, the Globe employees and actors were like a big family. One of the actresses had a home in Ocean Beach and she always had a big party on the Fourth that everyone was invited to.

That morning, I stood in the kitchen in my wonderful apartment (a kitchen with all the original circa 1930 tile counters and backsplash and fabulous wooden cupboards) and I whipped up a batch of guacamole. My dear friend Rick picked me up and out we drove to the beach. The atmosphere was festive and fun and many of the actors I was currently working with were there. Lots of laughter and good food.

There was this guy there. He was an actor. I had seen him in a production the previous summer when I flew out to San Diego for my job interview. I remembered him and I remembered how good he was. He had just been made an Associate Artist a few weeks earlier and was cast in a show that I wasn’t coaching. Anyway, I knew who he was. He didn’t know who I was.

As the afternoon went on, I noticed that every time I came inside the house, he was watching me. Catching my eye. And smiling. This went on for a few hours. Hmmmm. I was intrigued. Finally, though I am pretty shy, I decided to bite the bullet and I walked up to him and introduced myself. We had a lovely chat. Rick was right there, as well. There’s a picture of the three of us on the sofa that was taken by another actor. He sent it to me many years ago. It captures that first meeting, that first talk.

I guess we were flirting. Slightly.

Later that evening as all of us sat on the beach watching fireworks, I looked in his direction and his eyes met mine and we smiled at each other. I was glad that Rick drove, because as we made our way home, I was able to sit back in my seat and think about this interesting guy I had just met. And think I did. I was just a wee bit smitten.

Four years later, to the day, that guy asked me to marry him.

So, yes, it’s the Fourth of July but what we celebrate around here is the anniversary of the day we met.

Happy Anniversary, sweetheart.

busriders

Happy Fourth of July.

signature2

Comments

  2. Happy 19th anniversary of meeting!!! Wanted to update you on the doggie Fish Oil – it’s supposed to be 2,000 mg’s daily, per the vet, I suppose for a pup Casper’s size (90 lbs). Hope it helps.

    Mary

  5. I love “love at first sight” stories. (Handsome and I were like that, too!) Enjoy celebrating YOU as we all celebrate our nation. I hope you and your sweetheart have a great day.
    xo
    Donna

    • Well, we’re in separate states right now, but we’re talking on the phone a lot!

  6. Claudia, Happy Anniversary to you both. What you two have together seem to be working really well! Keep it up!

  7. Oh, I loved this post, Claudia! I know you’ve talked about it before but I never tire of hearing the story of how you met! Any chance you’ll be sharing the first photo ever of you and Don together on the sofa from that night? Happy Anniversary to you both!… Donna

    • I’d love to, but I’m not sure where it is! I’ll have to search for it.

  8. What a sweet story! I love ‘the first time we met’ stories!! I am sure he was as smitten as you and now you have a wonderful marriage and a partner for life! Much happiness to you both!
    Hugs,
    Linda

  9. Happy Anniversary! How romantic! July 4th is my favorite holiday. You have 2 reasons to celebrate! I too remember the exact moment I became aware of my dear husband. September 1975. I saw him in my Portuguese class on the first day of classes at my new college. Been with him ever since.

    Have a happy day!
    Luanne

  10. What a beautiful story Claudia…and a precious memory! Happy Meeting Anniversary to you both! (and…Happy 4th)! ;)

  11. What a great story! Enjoy your anniversary today. A beautiful one to celebrate.

    My guy and I met on the 13th of July, cast in a huge production as boyfriend/girlfriend. And 5 days later, he asked me to marry him. I said No! (We were just 18). But every year, on the 18th, he’d ask and every year, I’d say No! Until 4 years in, I said yes, He didn’t believe me at first!! But we still celebrate July 18th as an anniversary as well as our August wedding anniversary. Fun to have to dates to remember!

    Happy 4th of July to you both. Hope the fireworks are great!

    • Oh, I love this. He was persistent, wasn’t he?

      Don always says the most important anniversary is this one. He may be right! After all, we wouldn’t have the wedding anniversary without this one.

  12. Happy Anniversary to you both!
    I love stories of love at first glance…
    I won’t be publishing our first encounter… it’s a bit tawdry for my audience. :O

    your’s is sweet.
    Pat

  13. Hi Claudia,

    You and Don are one of those couples who, sooner or later, would have found each other! The timing, the situation, the energy, the vibe…everything led to that fateful meeting of two artists starring in their own romantic adventure!

    Happy 4th and 19th!

    xo
    Poppy

  14. I so envy your finding Mr. Right. And am so happy for you that it was Don. He is a special fella. And you can tell him I said that. May he serenade you with a love song upon his return. I’ve never been lucky in love. But you two were just meant to be.
    Brenda

    • Well, I waited a long time. I was happily single for over 40 years and wasn’t about to get seriously involved with anyone until I met Don. The waiting paid off.

  15. Happy happy 19th Anniversary, dear Claudia and Don!
    (we celebrate the day we met also – 19 years ago this year for us too!)

  17. Happy Anniversary to both of you! I LOVE that story. Wish I could see the original picture. Hint hint!! :)

    • I have to find it. I have no idea where it is. I pray it isn’t out in the shed!

  18. Serendipity is, indeed, a wonderful thing! My husb and I were engaged on July 4th as well. 42 years ago, and I can truly say….. he’s still the one!!! Just celebrated Anniv #41. Love is grand.

    Hope you have a good day, even though Don isn’t there right now. Is Scout afraid of the fireworks? Our 2 Greyhounds are petrified. We can’t leave the house in case someone sets some off. Just read that more dogs go “lost” on the 4th of July than on any other day of the year. We will celebrate quietly here!!

    • Congrats on your 42nd engagement anniversary!

      Scout used to be deathly afraid of fireworks – I think Border Collies have very sensitive ears. We always had to stay home with her. Now her hearing isn’t quite as sharp, but to be safe, I stay home with her.

    • That’s right! Although we’re making them separately this year – he’s in MA, I’m in NY.

  21. What a nice beginning for you two. We’ve been married 23 years and still celebrate our first date (The Ides of March), his proposal (my parent’s anniversary) and our wedding (Veteran’s Day). I told him since our wedding anniversary falls on a holiday and he is a veteran he has absolutely no excuse for forgetting! So far, he hasn’t.

    • Love the Ides of March and Veteran’s Day as anniversaries, Ann! We got married on Columbus Day.

  23. Happy Anniversary to both of you. We had a similar first meeting…..I call “love and first sight”. But we were really young 17 and 18 but we are still together. YOu and don were meant to be together.

    • You should be proud that you are still together after meeting at such a young age, Debby! Good for you!

  25. I agree with Don..this is the most important anniversary..without that first meeting there would be nothing..I often ask couples how they first met..I can see a most special gleam in their eyes and look on their faces when they tell me their story..the look that I imagine is on your face today..I especially like to ask this of couples who I know may be arguing or having marriage problems..They need to go back and remember that day..how good they felt..how they put a little extra effort in to making one another feel special..how they listened to every word the other one had to say..Happy Anniversary Claudia & Don..Always celebrate this day and remember..Hugs!

  26. I didn’t know where the story was going, but you had me going Ohhhh right from the get go! Loved the story, and of course he’s handsome too boot! Great picture of you two! Happy Anniversary! Off to the Hollywood Bowl tonight to see the one and only Josh Groban and fireworks to celebrate America’s birthday!

    • He IS a handsome devil, Annette! I hope you enjoyed the concert and the fireworks!

  27. A beautiful story, Claudia! So romantic and I love that you have a special day to celebrate it with. My husband and I always celebrate our first date – April Fools Day. It was meant to be. Have a lovely fourth and I am jealous of the above comment by Annette – it will be a great show and I’m tempted to stand outside the Bowl and listen. Ann

  34. Hello, Claudia… I sort of collect “how we met” stories… thinking maybe someday I’ll write a book… and yours is just lovely. What makes it even better is that all these years later, you still remember every detail and with such fondness. Here’s wishing you and Don many many more healthy happy years at Mockingbird Hill…

    PS – first comment for me today. Found you on Susan Branch’s list of favorite blogs/websites – and had to visit because we know she has SUCH good taste. Now you’re on my list too. Bye for now! :>)

    • It’s so nice to meet you, Janet! Thanks for stopping by. I love Susan Branch!

      You should write a book about those stories. I think that’s a great idea!

  39. Happy anniversary, Claudia and Don! Loved the story of how you met. May you be blessed with many more years together.

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