7-4-94
The day we met – 25 years ago.
Don, me, and Rick.
This photo was taken by Jonathan McMurtry, our dear friend who passed away two days ago. Years later, Jonathan put it in an envelope and slipped it into my mail slot at the theater. I am forever grateful to him for this record of that moment.
Maybe it’s time to share the story again?
The summer before this one was the summer when I interviewed for the job at USD/Old Globe. I flew out to California, the first time I’d ever been there, went through an insane two days of interviews, taught a class, and barely slept. My friend Kathy McGrath was an actress and she was an unofficial company member there. She was performing in a play called Morning’s at Seven and got me a ticket for the matinee. It was a lovely production. There was one guy who stood out to me. He was very funny and very tall. I remember looking at his headshot in the program and thinking he looked “interesting.”
Fast forward a year. I got the job. I had finished my first year of teaching and was preparing to coach a production of Wonderful Tennessee by Brian Friel – part of the summer season at the Globe. In those days, the Globe had an event called Company Call. It was always inspiring. In the summer, all three theaters were being used and Company Call was a chance for everyone involved – actors, crew, staff – to be introduced to each other. I was sitting on the aisle and I noticed this guy sit down two rows behind me and across the aisle. I glanced at him. It was that guy who was in Morning’s at Seven.
Jack O’Brien took the stage to announce that year’s Associate Artists – a true honor for those named. The honorees were kept secret until that moment.
Darned if that guy behind me didn’t become an Associate Artist! He went up on the stage, gave a speech that was sweet and funny (I love funny).
A week or so later: Kathy McGrath had her annual Fourth of July party at her place in Ocean Beach. Everyone was invited. Rick and I went there together. There were so many people there! As I went in and out of Kathy’s little cottage, I noticed this guy, who I now knew was Don Sparks, sitting across the room – right where you see him in the picture – and every time he saw me he caught my eye and smiled. Every time.
I was basically a shy, but friendly, girl. I was not a flirtatious type. And I never made the first move. But after six or seven of these smiles, something made me walk over to him and introduce myself. I sat next to him – right where you see me – and we started to talk. Our first conversation was centered on our mutual disbelief that we were in our forties. He had just turned 43. I was 41. Eventually, Rick came over and joined us.
Later, as we sat on the beach to watch the fireworks, Don – who was several feet away – caught my eye again and smiled that fabulous smile.
On the way home that night with Rick, I didn’t talk a lot. I was remembering Don and our conversation and I wanted to go over and over that encounter with him.
I had a major crush. He did, too, though I didn’t quite know that yet.
During the next couple of weeks, we were both busy with our respective productions. He was playing Malvolio in Twelfth Night. Like a girl in high school, I spent a great deal of time engineering “surprise” encounters. That he was happy to see me was clear. That I was happy to see him was clear. One time, we sat on a bench and talked and talked and in that conversation he asked if I’d like to go to a movie once our shows were up and open.
Yes.
Twelfth Night was in previews when one of our students had to go on for the actress playing Viola. Rick and I headed over there to see the show and support her.
Don was so good, so funny, that Rick and I could not stop laughing. At one point, Rick leaned over and said, “He’s brilliant!” And I said, “Yes, and he asked me out on a date!!” After the show, we waited for him in the courtyard and I hugged him and told him how wonderful his Malvolio was. First hug.
After his show opened, there was a party at a local restaurant. We spent most of our time there together, flirting and talking. Don remembers one of my students hanging around – because everyone wanted to talk to Don – and all Don could think of was how to get rid of him. During the course of that party, I discovered my wallet had been stolen. Don volunteered to drive me home. Really, all I could think of was how many phone calls I was going to have to make and would the thief discover my extra key to the apartment in the wallet? He did his best to comfort me and when he escorted me to the door, he leaned forward and kissed me. I was completely surprised. And thrilled.
After that, we did go on that date, where we spoke of wanting to break our previous patterns of behavior. Mine was running away the minute I felt someone was getting too close. That was my MO. But somehow, this time I was ready to take a chance. So was he.
And here we are 25 years later. No one is more surprised and delighted than we are. No one is prouder of this relationship than we are. I never wanted to marry. I wanted my independence. Eventually, all that went out the window. Four years later, we were married. I realized that I still had my independence, whatever that was, and best of all, I had him. By my side. For life.
As Don said this morning, “We started a conversation that has never ended.”
Indeed.
Happy Thursday.
I’m a total sucker for a love story . . . . . . .
Thank you, Anne!
Happy Anniversary, Claudia and Don! When I looked at your photo, I thought but that says 7th April 1994 and then I remembered the date and month are always written opposite way round to we Brits!😀
Happy Independence Day to you and all your readers xx
Thank you, Dee Dee!
I just love this story. So glad that two great people found each other. Happy Fourth!
Thank you, Shanna!
AWWWW! That is one sweet love story! Happy Anniversary!
Thank you, Carol!
Happy “Anniversary”!! Such fun to look back at where we were and to where we have arrived. Today is an anniversary of sorts for us, as well. 48 yrs ago today we got engaged! And we celebrated our 47th wedding anniversary on Don and Little Z’s birthdays. Time flies for sure.
Congratulations on your years together and the years ahead! Happy 4th!!
Happy Anniversary! (We got engaged on the 4th, four years after me met! So we share an engagement anniversary.)
Thank you, Chris!
Happy belated Anniversary! We’re only a couple years behind you. ;)
Thanks!!! Somtimes the days seem long, but the weeks, months, and years truly fly by, don’t they?
I do love a great love story! Happy “Anniversary”! You two make a great couple! ;)
Thank you, Donnamae!
You guys don’t look like you were in your 40’s…you look like the love-struck couple you were to become! Happy anniversary…continue to have a beautiful love story!
Thank you, Wendy!
Sweetest love story ever. Especially because you weren’t kids when you met. A mature love is a wonderful and glorious thing. Happy Day to you both.
Thank you, Linda!
It’s such a beautiful love story. I am so happy for you both.
Happy 4th; we awoke in SoCalif to…earthquake! It was the roller that didn’t want to stop. Still feeling a bit rattled here, always vigilant for aftershocks which can be worse than the main one. Fortunately, the epicenter was far from urban areas (more in the eastern part of SoCalif); however, it was widely felt. (After all, I’m at the coast.) Apparently our biggest quake since the Northridge, CA one (25 years ago; I was living out of state at the time).
Thanks again for sharing your happy story. Puts a smile on anyone’s face!
I just heard about the earthquake! Goodness. I’ve been through some and so has Don. It’s never easy, is it? Glad you’re safe.
I felt as if there was one more ‘undulation’ later in the morning but it’s prob because I, like everybody else(!), was on higher alert. You hear the whoosh and a crack of the windows (old house); was it the wind? (I’m on the floor of a valley; we ALWAYS have wind.) Can make you a little crazy.
We don’t have to live here; we could be somewhere else. If you choose to live in SoCalifornia, earthquakes just come with the territory; you take your chances. Anyway, after close inspection, no visible damage anywhere outside or inside the house. All I could see was that my dratted packing boxes (from the last move, from the remodeling) had slightly shifted in their stacks (a falling danger that has to be remedied), and some papers fell to the floor.
My poor dog was SO on edge all day between the earth moving AND the illegal fireworks; she’s worn out; every year I say I’m going to drug her for the Fourth and then I don’t, but we did make sure we were here for her all day; she was never once alone, the dear old girl. I hope Friday (today) is devoid of ‘drama’!
We stayed home with our dogs on the Fourth after we got Scout. She was a border collie and collies are very sensitive to loud noises. She would be frantic from the noise.
what a wonderful love story (as written and especially as lived) … congratulations on 25 years and all those ahead!
and how great to have a photo of you and don meeting!
i am very happy for you two.
kathy in iowa
Thank you, Kathy!
Terrific story! xo
Thank you, Annette!
I love this story. ♥
Thank you, Brooke!
Loretta Young said “Love isn’t something you find. Love is something that finds you”
You sound like a blushing school girl when you talk about meeting Don. May it always be so! To many more years together.
Best wishes from Best Bun.
Thank you, Best Bun!
Beautiful story.
Marilyn
Thank you, Marilyn.