I won’t address the elephant in the room except to say I’m enraged.
That anger has to be channeled into “All Hands on Deck” by everyone. So I’ve signed up to help the Biden campaign, as I did in 2020.
__________________________________
But today is my baby sister’s 60th birthday! I’m 11½ years older than her, so it’s hard to grasp that she’s 60. She’s a beautiful 60, both inside and out. Happy Birthday, dearest Meredith! I love you to the moon and back!
And tomorrow? The anniversary of this day:
But it’s not just another anniversary of the day we met, it’s the 30th anniversary of the day we met. We’ve been together for 30 years! Since we met when we were in our early 40s, it’s a big deal!
You know the story, so I’ll be brief. My friend, the late Kathy McGrath (an actress at the Old Globe Theater) lived in Ocean Beach and threw a Fourth of July party every year. Actors, actresses, staff, designers…everyone came. It was my first full summer in San Diego, and my first ‘Kathy’ party. I had a great time and later in the day, as I went outside (to the barbecues) and came back inside a few times, I noticed this guy (sitting right where you see him in this photo) leaning forward and smiling at me every time I came inside. I knew who he was as I had seen him in a production of Morning’s at Seven when I flew into town the previous summer for my job interview. Kathy was in that production, as well. I remember looking at his photo in the program during intermission because I was so impressed with his performance and I thought “He’s very interesting looking!” Fast forward to about a week before Kathy’s party. The Globe held it’s summer season Company Call where everyone involved in the three shows going on in three theaters was introduced. At the beginning of the Call, Jack O’Brien announced the names of the new Associate Artists, an honor only awarded to those who had done inspiring and excellent work at the Globe for a number of years. Don, who I had noticed already because he was sitting across the aisle and two rows back from me, was one of the honorees. He had no idea it was going to happen and he walked onstage and spoke off the cuff and he was very sweet and funny.
ANYWAY, back to the party: I am a shy person and normally I would have smiled back but only that. This time, after the 4th or 5th smile, I decided to walk across the room and introduce myself. He, of course, didn’t know who I was because I was not coaching the production of Twelfth Night that he was in. I sat down and we started talking about the fact that we couldn’t believe we were in our early forties! How could that be? (Older Claudia and Don now roll their eyes at this.)
By the end of the conversation, I was in ‘crush’ mode, seriously intrigued by and attracted to this man. We all walked down to the beach for the fireworks and Don was sitting several feet away. At one point, he looked back at me, caught my eye, and gave me a big smile.
Little did I know, I was a goner,
It took a while to have a first date as our schedules were different and jam-packed. I also had to engineer several ‘accidental’ meetings in the hallways of the theater in order to flirt with him. (Sounds like high school!) I ran into him at an opening night party where we flirted some more and where my wallet was stolen. He offered to drive me home and comforted me and, as we stood outside on my front stoop, suddenly leaned forward and kissed me. Eventually, we went to the beach on a date that ended with another incredible kiss as he left for the theater, and that was it.
Though I certainly fought it as I liked my single life and was deathly afraid of commitment.
But it was inevitable.
I am profoundly grateful for that party, that particular Fourth of July, where we did indeed see fireworks!
The photo was taken by our dear friend Jonathan McMurtry, who passed away a few years ago and who is greatly missed.
Stay safe.
Happy Wednesday.
Beautiful 30th anniversary story, Claudia. Congratulations. Happy birthday to Meredith, too. And happy 4th of July to everyone. Kudos to you for helping Biden’s win become real. Hugs, Elaine
like most people, i love love stories … and you and don have a great one! good to pay attention to one’s feelings and instincts (and glad someone got that photo for you two). :) congratulations on thirty years together.
happy birthday to meredith. may it be the start of a wonderful, easy year ahead for her and teenage z and her other sons!
and happy fourth of july to everyone. may God bless this country and everyone in it. stay safe in every way.
kathy
I remember that story and that sweet photo. Wishing you many, many more happy years together!
dear Claudia/Don — Happy Anniversary to you both!! I am a firm believer in celebrating any/all special times!! Love this pix — does a little of your “shyness” show in it or are you just being coy? Whatever the case, cherish your memories/good times. I, too, am outraged — fearful for the USA and all of us — are we on the “revenge” list???? pls stay safe/healthy
So glad you found each other, it was meant to be. And to have a photo of the day is so precious!
I’m trying in my mind’s eye to see a shot of the day I met Fred…first day of eighth grade at a new school. I know I was taller and he had on a yellow plaid shirt, but I can’t come up with any more than that, it was more than sixty years ago!
Love your love story!
Very cute photo… Happy Anniversary! Happy 4th of July!
After Monday’s decision…it’s Go Time! We must all do our part as best as we can. There are more of us. Now, we just need to show up and do our part. We can do this!
I love these anniversary stories. Great question, too….where did the years go? Wishing you many more anniversaries to celebrate. Enjoy your day!! ;)
Happy Anniversary! Thanks for sharing the photo of you too.
Never tire of a great love story! xo
Happy 30 to you two! I love your story and I’m so glad you got over the “shy” and actually went over to this nice, talented guy. You two seem so well suited! Well done — on both parts.
And three cheers for Mere, too! (Yes, wouldn’t you kill to be 60 again, much less 40?)
Don’t start me on this past week. I’m doing postcard mailings through Blue Wave.
I love your story of love and wish you many, many more years of happiness together. xoxoxo Happy anniversary and Happy 4th of July!
Happy 30th anniversary! I’m glad you found each other. Happy birthday to Meredith too! I’ve noticed she is posting on her blog occasionally and happy to see that.
Have a nice 4th of July!
Happy 30th Anniversary! I always love hearing that story. You’re so fortunate to have that photo.
Happy Birthday to Meredith!
Thirty is an accomplishment to be proud of nowadays. Choosing to love someone, day after day, is an unsung part of marriage. Your love story is one of those “meant to be” relationships (I have one too).
Cheers to your baby sister as she navigates another orbit around our star.
I’m also volunteering. Just gotta do everything I can. Idealist me believes we can shape our own future.
What a beautiful story and lovely memories!
My husband and I will have been married 40 years next January. We rub along ok 😀 and take care of each other. That’s the important thing, isn’t it?
Lovely lovely romantic story – those of us in happy long term relationships are so very lucky!
Ceci
The photo of you and Don is so beautiful. Your love story makes my heart joyful.
I hope you have a wonderful Fourth of July and a happy “meeting anniversary.”
Have a safe holiday,
Kaye
I am so sorry for the comment by E Colling. Please, don’t let it bother you too much.
I don’t know why people are so mean.
She’s an ignorant troll. Deleted and blocked.
Thanks, Deanna!
Bye. How sad you are. You will not be missed.
What a wonderful story of how you all met! Wishing you all many more happy years together ♥️
I love this story! It isn’t the first time I have heard it and if I was 8 and wanted a bedtime story, this would be it. All my love to both of you!
Lovely story of how you two met. Happy 30th Anniversary. Enjoy your special day xx
Happy Anniversary! You two look so cute. How lucky you are to have a picture of the day you met!!
Kay
Do you ever wonder….what if you had decided not to go to that party….. Thanks for sharing. It put a smile on my face.
As to the political news….I am even more determined to support Biden ….whatever it takes.
Oh, your husband looks adorable in that photo. I had a boyfriend who had a similar smile – very boyish. Happy birthday to your sister, Meredith. I’ll be 60 in a few months also.
It rains and rains here – so odd for our semi-arrid part of Alberta. It’s just so surprising. This should take care of the fires in the BC mountains. The weeds in our gardens are right out of hand. Yikes.
I’m reading my mom’s old diaries. They are so good. She was so busy with 7 kids. A recent entry was how she had a free day so she did tons of laundry! We were so fortunate to have such a mom, and I know Dad made her laugh all the time. I see her in a different way now. Mom loved your blog and read it every day. Have a happy, happy day!
Many congratulations on your anniversary- an amazing achievement
I hope you and Don enjoy a Happy 4th – it’s election day in the UK – I anxiously await the results
Siobhan x
I always love that story. It brings me great joy to know you are with the love of your life!
Congratulations to you both!
Oh my goodness, the re-enactment photo tickles me so much!!! You two are the cutest! I’ve always loved your love story, and this photo couldn’t be more fun! Thank you for providing a blog friendship that feels like a real one. I enjoy the two of you so much! Here’s to many more years of happy anniversaries! (I agree totally about the cone flowers — they are the basis of my cottage garden, and my very favorite flower…)
I think they’re my favorite flower, too.
Thanks so much, Jacqui.
Stay safe.