The Courtship of Norma and Gene
My Uncle Gene met Aunt Norma (of course, she wasn't my aunt then) at a YMCA Young Professionals group when they were in their 30s. Norma began attending the activities, and on first meeting her, Gene asked to see her home. He followed her car in his car and walked her to the door.
At the second meeting, he asked if it was a program she was particularly interested in. She said no, and he suggested they leave. He took her by the hand and led her out. Another fellow was coming in as they were leaving, and she just didn't know what he would think to see her holding Gene's hand. I believe they went out and got something to eat.
From then on, Gene picked her up and drove her to the meetings and activities. When her job as elementary school librarian ended for the year, she returned to her parents' house for the summer. At the last meeting she asked, "So Gene, are you going to write to me?"
"No." (Gene always was a man of few words.)
"Are you going to call me?"
"No."
"Are you going to come visit me?"
"No."
Norma wrote him off as dead wood. She never got a letter or a call from Gene but did receive a Christmas card from him every year. Meanwhile, she dated other men and continued in her profession.
After nine (9!)years, she decided that was long enough. She sent Gene a Christmas card saying she was culling her Christmas card list, and, since she hadn't seen him in so long, this would be the last card he received from her. She wished him success in his life.
A few days later she received a letter that said, "I have to see you RIGHT AWAY!"
Gene came to visit her and took her out three times that week and three times the next week. At the end of the second week, he proposed. Norma was uncertain and confused. She liked Gene, but they were older now, had different religions and were both used to their independence. In the end, she took the plunge, and they were happily married for 44 years.
At the second meeting, he asked if it was a program she was particularly interested in. She said no, and he suggested they leave. He took her by the hand and led her out. Another fellow was coming in as they were leaving, and she just didn't know what he would think to see her holding Gene's hand. I believe they went out and got something to eat.
From then on, Gene picked her up and drove her to the meetings and activities. When her job as elementary school librarian ended for the year, she returned to her parents' house for the summer. At the last meeting she asked, "So Gene, are you going to write to me?"
"No." (Gene always was a man of few words.)
"Are you going to call me?"
"No."
"Are you going to come visit me?"
"No."
Norma wrote him off as dead wood. She never got a letter or a call from Gene but did receive a Christmas card from him every year. Meanwhile, she dated other men and continued in her profession.
After nine (9!)years, she decided that was long enough. She sent Gene a Christmas card saying she was culling her Christmas card list, and, since she hadn't seen him in so long, this would be the last card he received from her. She wished him success in his life.
A few days later she received a letter that said, "I have to see you RIGHT AWAY!"
Gene came to visit her and took her out three times that week and three times the next week. At the end of the second week, he proposed. Norma was uncertain and confused. She liked Gene, but they were older now, had different religions and were both used to their independence. In the end, she took the plunge, and they were happily married for 44 years.