I am taking the liberty to repost a blog I wrote some years ago as Ruth and I will be celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary on June 14th, 2024. It is as follows.

It was late fall in 1973 when this girl walked into Homeroom. I noticed her right off the bat, though that was the first time I ever laid eyes on her. True, I had seen her picture before in the high school year book from the preceding year, and remembered that she caught my eye even then. But it was a big school, and our paths had not crossed until that fateful day. Little did I know that the first thought through her mind when she saw me was, "I wonder what our baby will look like?"

I will never forget that hot chick that roped me, threw me, and branded my heart that day. Though I don't remember the shoes she wore, she had on bell bottom jeans that were the style back then. A dark shirt and pink sweater. Her coat, hung over her arm, was long with the appearance of short fur with a fake fur collar. Her hair was slightly puffed up, not much, but just enough to register on my love counter. Her facial features were thin, petite, and cute; very kissable. Wow! Don't stare!

Recognizing my friend she walked over all cool like and sat down. They started some small talk and I tried to not blow it by making the wrong impression. That just made me all the more nervous, and then when my so-called friend turned to me and asked, "So, Joe, how's so-in-so (old girlfriend) doing," I wanted to punch him in the nose!

Sometime later she showed up again and came and sat by me. Luckily, my friend was not around. I showed her a cartoon of Nixon throwing tapes in a garbage can. She laughed, though I found out years later she didn't get it. She then gave me a cookie that she made in Home Economics. I still have that cartoon but the cookie is long gone.

Not wanting to be apart, we decided to skip the next class together and left through a side door. Sanctuary was the pool hall across the street and we started to run for it. I grabbed her hand in mine, because that is what the hero does to the woman when they are fleeing danger, and it felt so good. Reaching the safety of the hall with all the other kids, we found our spot along the wall. We were both still breathing hard as we just stood there listening to the music and the bells on the pinball machines. Her hand was still in mine and though our hands were sweating, neither dared let go.

And that, my friend, was the start of our romance that has led to us celebrating our 45th (50th now) anniversary this month. And yes, that baby was cute!