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The Story of the Valentine’s Day Surprise

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See that (youngish) couple on the beach? There’s a Valentine’s Day story to this photo so I thought I’d share it with you.

Many moons ago, 1995 to be exact, when Don and I were courting, one January day we took one of our walks together on a local beach in San Diego. This particular beach was special to us because we’d met there. I was about to leave on a two week trip to audition prospective students for the theater program.

We had only known each other about 6 months. But we were in love, that we knew.

A man approached us, camera in hand, and introduced himself. He was a photographer for the San Diego Union Tribune and had been taking photos of us from the pier. Could he use one of them in a story slated for Valentine’s Day?

We were both surprised by the whole thing and after hesitating a bit, said yes.

He took down our information and gave us his card.

Almost immediately, I regretted saying yes. You see, we both worked at the same theater. I had students that also worked there. We were keeping our courtship very quiet because I didn’t want everyone, especially my students, to know about my personal life. At least not until we saw where this new relationship was going.

I panicked. I had visions of everyone at the theater talking about our photo being in the paper. Of someone ripping it out of the paper and posting it on one of the bulletin boards at the theater. Since I had to leave, I begged Don to call the photographer and say we had changed our minds. He did. We still wanted a copy of the photo if at all possible so Don asked him if we might be able to get a copy. We’d be happy to pay for it. No, the photographer said, it was against the policies of the newspaper to give a copy of a photo to anyone who was not willing to be credited in print. Ah well.

I left town. I came down with the flu while I was away and arrived home on Valentine’s Day eve, sicker than a dog. The morning of Valentine’s Day, Don knocked on my door with flowers, chocolate and a wrapped package in hand. Still sick, I unwrapped the package to find this framed photo.

I couldn’t believe my eyes.

How did he do it? Well, Don has his ways. He pursued the photographer, told him our story, charmed and cajoled him until that lovely man said he’d make a copy for us. No charge. I had no idea any of this had been going on. I just sat there, framed photo in hand, and cried.

You do understand why I fell in love with him, don’t you?

This remains one of our most cherished possessions.

I hope you were surrounded by love yesterday and every day.

Comments

  2. It is a beautiful picture. So sweet that he talked the photograper into letting him have the photo. Maybe the same photographer could do the story now…..well just a thought.

  3. Pictures with stories are the best. Sometimes, I wish there was a recording device on the back or a note behind the picture with the story.

  4. I have been obsessing about that watermelon scarf . Decided if it was still there that I needed to reat myself. And I did……

  5. On my fridge is a picture of Randy and I by Niagara Falls, in February…One day while working at a bakery, another employer came in and stated..’oh I saw you in the newspaper”. WHAT? She susbscribed to the paper across the border (I’m Canadian) and we were on the front page! So she cut it out for us…(here we had thought when the photographer had asked us our names it was going to the Canadian side….How romantic of hubby that he did that for you..Yepper, definitely a keeper.

  9. OH MY!…….HE IS A ROMANTIC…….
    WHAT A WONDERFUL MEMORY YOU CARRY IN YOUR HEART…..YOU DON’T FIND THOSE GREAT GUYS AROUND ANYMORE…..YES MY VALENTINE’S DAY WAS LOVELY….RIZZI

  16. What a beautiful story Claudia. Don is obviously a hopeless romantic as are you. It is always nice when two people who are meant to be together actually are.

    Have a lovely day,
    Sue

  22. Such a beautiful story, Claudia, and how romantic! That photo is one of a kind! And, so, besides having Scout with the daily Valentine on her fur, you also have the photo that really is a daily Valentine! Yes, I see why you fell in love with Don! He seems so caring and considerate. Beautiful qualities! You are very blessed!

  24. Claudia, My Obsession/Queen Anne’s Lace scarf just arrived! It is even more beautiful than the photo and I can’t even begin to describe how soft it feels! You can bet I’ll be wearing it all winter and I suspect even into early spring. Hope your Etsy shop is a success! (Hugs)

  27. How beautiful, and romantic, Claudia, you have found yourself a wonderful and sweet husbond- the photo is so special, too, and it will alwayes remind you of a very treasurable time of yours.
    Hugs to you.
    Dorthe

  34. Ahhhh….what a sweet story! I love it. That story and the fact that the two of you dance in the kitchen, says you both definitely made the right choice. Happy Valentine’s Day!

  37. Oh that Don is a keeper, isnt he?! What a wonderful romantic heart he has. So now that Im home from my trip, settled and caught up I will get that package in the mail to you. Oh you want a hint? Its vintage. Thats all you get!
    XO

  38. I loved this sweet story. Thanks so much for sharing it with us. Okay, where’s my hankie? Yeah, I’m a softy when I see true love…
    Hugs,
    Jill

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