My Favorite Love Story
Feb 4, 2009 21:39:09 GMT -5
Post by ozark on Feb 4, 2009 21:39:09 GMT -5
I had almost completed my three year hitch in the Army when the Korean conflict started. I was stationed in Panama. My enlistment was extended for one year and because I had been promoted fast there were some options available to me. I opted to re-enlist for an indefinite period with a bonus of a thirty day leave in the States. I was engaged to a girl in Indiana and we expected to be married during my leave. Unknown to me there was a girl in
Arkansas I would meet that was also engaged to be married to a local fellow.
This Arkansas girl was impressed with my uniform and the fact that I seemed completely confident in myself. I was impressed with her beauty and the fact that she was impressed with me. We rode a ferris wheel, took a drive around the countryside and I learned she was entered in a beauty contest and had agreed to be accompanied by her finance. I informed her that I was not a game player and told her to go ahead with him to the contest and that if he didn't take her to her home immediatly afterward I would know she had chosen him and I would be history. I was watching and followed as the two went directly to her home and he departed alone. Well now, I had been chosen and naturally went to her door. She got in the car with me and we drove around getting aquainted.
I had 12 days left on my leave and we dated every one of them. I did the Indiana girl dirty and have always felt bad about that. But all to soon my time was up and it was back to Panama for me.
As we parted, she ask if I would write to her from Panama and I said: "I might just do more than that, I might just send you a ring and a plane ticket so you can join me." "I might just use that plane ticket she responded." That I suppose was a proposal. Two months later this girl used the ticket and although she had never been out of Arkansas flew to Miami and then on to Panama. Shortly thereafter we were married at the Chapel on base and moved into government quarters on the base. All that happened in 1951 and many folks have told us that ours seemed to be the perfect marriage. We planned for and have raised three children. Now we stay connected by giving each other high fives, fist knocks, smiles and just taking care of each other. So much for long engagements, avoiding risks and taking chances. We agree now that we would do the same thing again. Only one member of this forum have met us face to face. I hope he doesn't disagree with what I call one of the best love connections you are likely to hear. We had our love and our marriage but most of all we were best friends. Ben, here with the angel.
Arkansas I would meet that was also engaged to be married to a local fellow.
This Arkansas girl was impressed with my uniform and the fact that I seemed completely confident in myself. I was impressed with her beauty and the fact that she was impressed with me. We rode a ferris wheel, took a drive around the countryside and I learned she was entered in a beauty contest and had agreed to be accompanied by her finance. I informed her that I was not a game player and told her to go ahead with him to the contest and that if he didn't take her to her home immediatly afterward I would know she had chosen him and I would be history. I was watching and followed as the two went directly to her home and he departed alone. Well now, I had been chosen and naturally went to her door. She got in the car with me and we drove around getting aquainted.
I had 12 days left on my leave and we dated every one of them. I did the Indiana girl dirty and have always felt bad about that. But all to soon my time was up and it was back to Panama for me.
As we parted, she ask if I would write to her from Panama and I said: "I might just do more than that, I might just send you a ring and a plane ticket so you can join me." "I might just use that plane ticket she responded." That I suppose was a proposal. Two months later this girl used the ticket and although she had never been out of Arkansas flew to Miami and then on to Panama. Shortly thereafter we were married at the Chapel on base and moved into government quarters on the base. All that happened in 1951 and many folks have told us that ours seemed to be the perfect marriage. We planned for and have raised three children. Now we stay connected by giving each other high fives, fist knocks, smiles and just taking care of each other. So much for long engagements, avoiding risks and taking chances. We agree now that we would do the same thing again. Only one member of this forum have met us face to face. I hope he doesn't disagree with what I call one of the best love connections you are likely to hear. We had our love and our marriage but most of all we were best friends. Ben, here with the angel.