Because new friends in the knitting group kindly asked about Bill and me, and our history, I was reminded of a blog post from several years ago that marks our beginnings.
I was seventeen.
I found a summer job right after high school. The company put up screen enclosures around swimming pools and I was a “gopher” (go fer this – go fer that) handing out paychecks to the construction workers. Among them was a handsome, deeply tanned, dark haired fellow named William.
That first day I went home and excitedly reported, “Mom, I met a man – not a boy – a twenty one year old man! And he looks just like Tony Curtis!”
For those of you too young to know who Tony Curtis was – he was a much beloved movie star with adoring fans.
Do you see a resemblance?
One of these pictures is of the famous film star, Tony Curtis.
The one in uniform is Bill when I first met him, when he just got out of the U.S. Air Force.
My Dad was from the old school and he referred to Bill as “the bum” because he came calling in flip flops (rubber thong shoes) and a white t-shirt with one sleeve rolled up to hold a pack of cigarettes.
That was the in image of the day, or as they say today, he was “cool” or is it “he was hot?”
My old-fashioned European Dad still believed a man should come courting in white shirt and tie so Bill didn’t live up to parental expectations.
Of course, that didn’t stop us. We waited three more years before getting married in the local courthouse.
The picture below is of our wedding day and you can see my father’s unhappy stance in the background.
We both went back to our jobs after the wedding, with Bill working nights and attending university during the day. I was a secretary in a real estate appraiser’s office.
Dad predicted Bill would divorce me after he graduated from college. But he was so wrong because Bill did graduate, became a civil engineer, eventually retired, and we have been married now for over 50 years!
I can definitely see why you could see Tony Curtis in Bill; and I hope your dad decided to like him in the end.
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Yes indeed Dora , The eyes and the lips have it ! Bill was very like Tony Curtis .How romantic this story is and congratulations on your long happy marriage together.
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Thanks for sharing your love story, Dor! Congratulations on over 50 years of marriage!!! Yes, I see the resemblance. 🙂
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What a truly wonderful love story and such an accomplishment to be married over 50 years!! You and Bill are an inspiration. I just don’t know how you waited three years to marry him – he was (and is) definitely a hottie!!
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Oh, Dor! What a great story. I’m sure you are glad your daddy was wrong about Bill. 🙂
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:: love this!!::
and I do see the resemblance {swoon}
-MJ
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This is such a sweet story. I’d say that Bill was both cool and hot!
Did your father ever come around to accepting Bill?
And, what was in your purse? Or was that your overnight bag ; )
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Dad finally apologized and accepted Bill when our son was born – his first grandson.
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Thanks Rita! His nose might have matched too but he broke it when he was a child so that isn’t his real nose. 🙂
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Thanks Rita! His nose might have matched too but he broke it when he was a child so that isn’t his real nose. 🙂
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He sure was “cute” as we used to say. We were too penniless to marry before he got his first real job out of school so that accounts for the 3 year wait. 🙂
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Yes, sometimes we have to go with our gut feelings right? And I knew that no one would be good enough for Daddy’s little girl so I suspected he was wrong.
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Thanks MJ… when I look at that photo I still do feel like swooning. He’s still “hot” though in a slightly different way. 🙂
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BIG purse huh? No idea, but it must have been in style. Dad did come around to accepting Bill when his first grandson was born.
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I LOVE this!!! Your Bill did resemble Tony Curtis (and yes, I’m old enough to know who he was!). Love the picture taken after your wedding and your Dad’s “stance”….glad he finally accepted Bill. (I can so identify….)
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I didn’t see this the first time around – what a wonderful love story! To this day, you are the perfect couple. Love to you both. Julie
_____
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Aw! What a great love story! Yes, your Bill does look like Tony Curtis. My father was the same way and would have run a boy off the ranch if he was not dressed properly. After 50 years I guess the marriage will last!
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Thank you Dianna! It’s great to know you “can identify.: I would love to hear your story too. 🙂
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Perfect? Maybe not but we have always been determined! Thanks Julie. 🙂
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Dunno why WP refuses to post my reply – or did it? I’m just happy you enjoyed the post. And I would love to read your story too. 🙂
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LOL! It does seem we will make it! Love is a many splendored thing! 🙂
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Your Dad was old school. So was my mother. One of my boyfriends had a ponytail (it was the hippie days). That did not sit well.
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Oh yes, I do remember Tony Curtis and you definitely have had your own look-alike in your husband. I love your wedding photo but I love it even more that you two have been married for over 50 years. That’s a major milestone! And I bet he still makes you swoon too!
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I just realized that you were the exact age that my daughter is now when you met your husband! If my daughter marries her current boyfriend, I think I might react like your dad did! If that happens, I’ll have to keep reminding myself how your story has a happy ending….
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Proves that ‘Father DOESN’T always know best!’ 😉 I love stories with happy endings!
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How wonderful Dorothy! and he does look like Tony Curtis alot!!!!
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Loved reading about your story and the photos, Dorothy! What a pretty couple!
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I love hearing from you Patti! Thanks so much for the sweet comment. 🙂
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You are a sweetheart Dymph! Thank you. 🙂
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Yes, we keep on truckin’ along with more and more memories to store.
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And even though I hate to admit it, my youngest granddaughter is the same age as your daughter is too and just graduating from high school this June. We shudder to think she might marry her boyfriend because it’s just too soon. Hmmmmmm. Who am I to talk huh?
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Well, swooning may not be the thing after all this time, but he’s my best friend and we have so many memories, but when I look at that picture from so long ago, I do still want to swoon. 🙂
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Hahahaha! My Dad would have thrown the pony tailed guy out!
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I hope your dad eventually liked Bill. At least he saw that Bill was steadfast.
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My Mom was close. He was a successful engineer with a good job. That is the only thing that made her waiver! She liked stability.
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Thankfully Dad did finally admit Bill “is a good man.” 🙂
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Dorann what a wonderful love story! Please tell Bill, Tony Curtis is NO Bill!! Congratulations on 50 years – it’s a very special union.
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Thank you Mary! 🙂
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I assume daddy finally got won over. 🙂
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He said he was sorry when his first grandson was born! I’m not sure he meant it though. He died shortly after so I will never know.
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Wow, that’s hard.
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A lot of dads would pose like that if they have to attend a wedding! No one is good enough for their little girls. 😉
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