In 1993, I was still living and working in Boston, but it was time for a change. Encouraged by my friend Rick, I had applied for a teaching position in the University of San Diego/Old Globe Theatre MFA Professional Actor Training Program. Interviews for jobs such as these can be exhausting. You fly somewhere, spend a day teaching a class in front of the Search Committee, have countless interviews, have lunch/dinner, meet a lot of people, smile so much that your teeth ache, and fly back home. All with in 24 – 48 hours.
Thus, I was found jetting off to California (I had never been there before) for a job interview. I knew a couple of people who worked at the Globe and one of them, Kathy McGrath, was in the current show running at the theater. I had some free time, so I went to the matinee. There was a guy in the cast who was a wonderful actor and I distinctly remember looking at his photo in the program and reading his bio.
I got the job, by the way.
Fast forward to a year later, in 1994. I had successfully managed the first year of teaching in a whole new environment. I had just been through the tragic murder of one of my beloved students. I was coaching one of the summer productions for the Globe, a play called Wonderful Tennessee by Brian Friel. The Globe used to host an event called “Company Call” where everyone involved in the current productions met in the theater, along with staff and management. It was a great way to get to know each other. During this particular Company Call, three people were made Associate Artists, an honor bestowed on artists who had forged a long relationship with the theater. I recognized one of the honorees. It was the same guy I had seen onstage the previous year. His speech was funny and self-deprecating and I found him intriguing. He was playing Malvolio in Twelfth Night, which was currently in rehearsal.
A week or so later, Kathy had her annual Fourth of July bash at her home by the beach. I had been serving on Jury Duty and was grateful for a day off from a tedious and contentious trial. Rick and I headed out to the beach. Lots of people from the theater were there. (In those days, the Globe was like one big family.)
I knew most everyone and I spent a lot of time with the cast of Wonderful Tennessee, most of them actors who had worked off and on at the Globe for years. Every time I came back into the living room of Kathy’s house, a guy kept catching my eye and smiling at me. This happened several times.
It was that guy I had seen in the play. That guy who had just been made an Associate Artist. Oh, I knew his name. He was Don Sparks.
I am by nature a friendly person who is fundamentally shy. I was never the kind of girl who went up to a man and initiated a flirtation. Too shy for that. But something made me go up to this guy. After all, he’d been putting an enormous amount of effort into catching my eye. And he seemed like a nice guy.
So I bit the bullet, walked up to him and introduced myself. We sat on the sofa and talked to each other. Our conversation centered around the fact that we couldn’t believe we were in our forties.
I was a wee bit smitten.
So, it turns out, was Don. In fact, he uses the word ‘lust’ to describe his feelings on that Fourth of July.
Later in the evening, we all went to the beach to watch the fireworks and, though we were sitting far apart from each other, he managed to catch my eye again. He smiled. He’s got a great smile.
I guess you can say we saw fireworks on the day we met.
Within a few weeks (we were both busy with our respective productions) we went on our first date. Four years later, we were married.
20 years.
Pretty good for a guy who had been married before and wasn’t sure if he wanted to be married again.
Pretty good for a girl who had dodged any sort of commitment for years and didn’t think she could sustain a long relationship, let alone marry someone.
Happy 20th, my love.
Doris says
Your love was meant to be!! Happy Anniversary. Doris
Claudia says
Thank you, Doris.
Sylvia says
Happy Anniversary to a lovely couple! Here’s to many more.
Claudia says
Thank you, Sylvia.
Patricia D. says
I love ‘how we met’ stories. Congratulations and Happy Anniversary to both of you.
Claudia says
Thank you, Patricia!
Karen says
Such a cute story. Happy anniversary, you two!
Claudia says
Thank you, Karen!
Linda L. says
“….And when we grow old
I will find two chairs
and set them close each sun-lit day,
that you and I – in quiet joy –
may rock the world away.”
Robert Sexton
Happy Anniversary. Wishing you many years together.
Claudia says
Lovely, lovely poem, Linda. Thank you.
Sweet Cottage Dreams says
Happy Anniversary Don and Claudia! I enjoyed reading your love story!
Needless to say, Sparks were flying that day!! Happy 4th!!!
xx
Claudia says
They sure were, Becky! Thank you.
Verónica says
Happy Aniversary!
Claudia says
Thank you, Veronica!
Dottie in Missouri says
Sweet story! It always amazes me when Love actually works so easily between some couples. Not that there are not rough patches, but that for us blessed ones, there is so much love, that we just keep on together!
Claudia says
It’s a miracle, isn’t it, Dottie? Thank you!
Sally Wessely says
Very good. Very, very good. What a great story. May the committment, love, friendship, and fireworks continue.
Claudia says
Thank you, Sally!
Debbie says
Sweet! Happy Anniversary and wishing you many more!
Claudia says
Thank you, Debbie.
Ranee says
When it’s right, it’s right – sometimes the one thing that needs to happen is the right place and the right time and the right people and it looks to me that the two of you have got it right! Congratulations on 20 wonderful years together. Clearly, it was meant to be.
Claudia says
Thank you so much, Ranee. It was definitely meant to be.
Linda @ A La Carte says
Love your meeting story! Smitten and Lust! A pretty perfect combo in my book!
Claudia says
It is, it is! Thank you, Linda.
Nancy Blue Moon says
I love your love story..Happy Anniversary!
Claudia says
Thank you, Nancy!
Deb says
You two are an adorable couple! What an awesome love story. Enjoy the day together!
Claudia says
Thank you, Deb!
Janet in Rochester says
Great story and happiest of anniversaries to you both! Is today [the Fourth] your actual wedding anniversary too? Or the anniversary of your first real meeting? I love your line – “I guess you can say we saw fireworks on the day we met…” Have a wonderful day! :>)
Claudia says
Anniversary of the day we met. (We consider it the most important anniversary, after all we wouldn’t be married without having met on the Fourth of July!) Wedding anniversary is October 12th. xo
Oh, and we got engaged on the Fourth of July in 1998.
Chris k in Wisconsin says
I think it is when we take time to remember those “special to us” moments ~ the day I first saw you ~ the day we finally met ~ our first date ~ and on and on we keep our story alive. When we forget to celebrate those special times we lose so much. Your story is wonderful and I hope you keep all of the memories alive! We just celebrated our 42nd anniversary, and though it might seem it gets harder to remember back that long ago, since we go over those special times every single year, we are happy to know we still can recall all of the happiness of “the beginning”. I love your story and hope your 4th this year concludes with a few more fireworks~~!!~~
Claudia says
Like you, we retell our story every year. It keeps it alive and fresh in our minds and reminds us to never take it for granted. Here’s to love stories! xoxo
Claudia says
Oh, and Happy Anniversary, Chris!
Debby Messner says
Happy anniversary and to twenty more wonderful years.
Claudia says
Thank you, Debby!
Ann says
What a nice story … and a unique meeting. Congratulations and wishes for many more wonderful years together.
Claudia says
Thank you, Ann!
Just Cats says
“Happy Anniversary” to two lovely people. It’s a big one so celebrate your favorite way. I think that should include cake. ;-) Hugs, Deb
Claudia says
It has already included cupcakes for breakfast, Deb! I strayed from my diet for today….
meredith says
You are both so stinking adorable I can’t stand it. I love you both so much.
Hugs,
Mere
Claudia says
We love you right back, dearest sister! xoxo
Tana says
Happy Anniversary to you two! My eyes were watering at such a beautiful story. I am still grinning ear to ear. If I ask you to tell me a story on Christmas Eve, this is the one I want to hear. Have another 40 amazing years Claudia and Don!
Tana
Claudia says
I’d love 40 more years, Tana!
Debbie in Oregon says
I love your love story! Happy “the day we met” Anniversary!
Claudia says
Thank you, Debbie!
Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams says
Claudia, congrats, your lovely story brings happy tears to my eyes…20 years is quite the accomplishment. Hugs to both of you.
Jen
Claudia says
Thank you so much, Jen!
Lana says
Happy Anniversary to you two lovebirds! You are a beautiful couple.
Diane says
Happy Anniversary to you and Don. What a wonderful story:)
My husband and I have been married almost 46 years. Our first date was a blind date arranged by a friend….we both knew on the first date that we were meant for each other and were engaged six weeks later.
I hope you two have a wonderful weekend.
Diane
Nancy in PA says
LUST! OMG!
I know and love this story but I didn’t know about the lust!
Until now. Way to go, Don!
Forget about “hearing wedding bells” at first sight. Go for the gusto!
Claudia says
Indeed! Go for the gusto! xo
Nancy Moreland says
Happy Anniversary and may you have many more!!!
Hugs to you both!!
Claudia says
Thank you, Nancy!
Judy Clark says
How sweet! Happy Anniversary to two precious people!
Happy 4th!
Judy
Claudia says
Thank you, dear Judy!
Shari says
Happy 20th!
Claudia says
Thank you, Shari!
Bonnie Schulte says
I really believe what your first poster wrote. Your love was meant to be. You two are an adorable couple, (REALLY) ! I wish you both so many more happy years together. At least 45 more years, sounds good, don’t you think? OK..OK.. and a whole lot more than that too…Congratulations to two SWEETIES
Claudia says
45+ more years would be just fine with me, Bonnie!
Donnamae says
I love that story…it is so romantic! Hope you had a wonderful day! Happy Anniversary you two….and may you have at least twenty more! ;)
Claudia says
I’m going for 40+!
Linda P. says
Happy anniversary of your meeting and your engagement, too!
Claudia says
Thank you, Linda!
Dawn says
Happy Anniversary my friend. I hope you have 20 + more years of bliss :)
Claudia says
Thank you, my friend!
Julie says
Such a lovely love story! xo J
Claudia says
Thank you, Julie!
Melanie says
I loved reading how you two met! Happy 20th anniversary and may you be blessed with many more wonderful years together.
Sharon Rexroad's Bringing Creativity 2 Life says
Claudia — your and Don’s story makes me believe in romance later in life! (Though the forties no longer feel later, you know what I mean)