The 25th rose...a love story

On Sunday March 23rd of 1984 I visited Harvey West Park in Santa Cruz Ca and was charmed by a cute man pushing his two children, four and seven, on swings. We had been casual acquaintances at a previous company and I struck up a conversation. He was divorced and working in Los Gatos, 'over the hill' in Silicon Valley. I also worked 'over the hill' and suggested lunch. He suggested Tuesday, March 25th.

We had lunch at La Maison Du Cafe. He wore a plaid shirt and bolo tie....he was interesting, we had lunch again. He invited me to dinner at his house and I brought my five year old. His car broke down while he went to retrieve the babysitter, the evening did not go as planned. But we persevered and went to see 'Terms of Endearment' the following week.

A few months went by, he asked me to go to Hawaii. I was always totally enamored by travel, but it had never been part of my life. I was thrilled, it was the perfect vacation, every moment of it special. We were 'going steady'

I sent him a red rose for our first date anniversary and we ate at La Maison du Cafe.

We got engaged in Mexico, we bought a house in Santa Cruz, we got married in Minnesota, we worked 'over the hill', raised three children and a Golden Retriever named Lady. And we traveled.

I sent him 2 roses for our second first date anniversary and three for our third and so on...

The children are grown and thriving on their own. We moved to Holland for a year, and then to San Diego. We adopted Miss Maya Princess Angelina DeCoster and bought a 1940's art deco house in Lemon Grove. I 'retired' from corporate life and with Mark's support became a full time bead artist.

Today is the 25th anniversary of the first date and I wouldn't have lived life any other way. And today I sent the 25th rose.....I love you honey.