If you would allow me to expound on my valentine.....
I have been married to my wonderful wife for 35 years this August. We were together another 2 years before that, so I guess we have been together a total of 37 years, or roughly 67 percent of our lives. How has she stood me?
I mean, she has been wonderful, and I, at times, have not been. I definitely won the lottery with this one. If you read my upcoming book, "Growing Up Doughnut" (which, by the way, is in the editing faze) you will find that women have played a big part in my life. I dated several girls who were all wonderful people and who I remember with great fondness. None of them, however, was as wonderful as the girl who swept me off my feet with her long hair, gorgeous smile, and sense of humor.
I can still remember the night I fell for her. I had gone back to Eureka College to beg the administration to let me in for a third time. After a successful meeting and promise that I would stay until I graduated, I went to a party on campus and there I saw this fantastic looking brunette who had hair past her waist. I asked her if she would like to "...go on a slow ride on a fast motorcyle...." (Pretty smooth, you think?) And we went for a ride around Lake Eureka on my 750 Honda.
The next day at breakfast I told her boyfriend that if he did not treat her right, I would come back and take her away. Come July, I got a scented letter in the mail from her, and we were on! Phone calls all summer, trips to Chicago, and two weeks alone without other students at the beginning of the year sealed the deal. I guess you could say I stole her!
I am constantly in love, still. She is all I think about when we are away from each other, and I can't wait to see her at the end of the day when she comes home from work. We still linger when we kiss, and no one hugs like she does.
Happy Valentine's Day, My darling!
Doughnut
Showing posts with label Eureka College. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Eureka College. Show all posts
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Friday, November 20, 2009
Oprah's Out...Shields In?
I was thoroughly surprised today when I learned that the big O--Oprah-- is bowing out of her show after 25 years. I did not even realize that she had been around that long! I have always liked her and the way she talks to people. She has a way of being respectful and still able to ask the hard questions. For a girl with humble beginnings, she became the most powerful woman in entertainment, and possibly the US. President Obama definitely gained a great deal when she endorsed him.
Oprah has long championed the underdog. She looks for the best in people and is always an optimist. She has been a leader in civil rights and women's rights, and she shared her struggle with us on her weight loss. We love Oprah because she is one of us. She is an icon, but she relates and gives back.
With her leaving the talk show circuit, there comes an opening for someone else. There are plenty of women on daytime talks...Bonnie Hunt, Ellen, and Tyra all fill the void for women. Dr. Oz and The Doctors have healthcare covered. Dr. Phil helps with problems. It is time that someone filled the empty spot. What empty spot you might ask?
The Baby Boomer Generation does not have anyone. Regis can hardly fill that when he has that cute little honey next to him. I propose that CBS let Don Shields try and fill the void. I have the experience, the knowledge, the ability to talk that could bring people to the TV set during the day. I am more than willing to travel for the job and we can talk about compensation later. But think of it.... I grew up in a small town, worked all kinds of dirty jobs, went to the college of Presidents (EUREKA COLLEGE) taught school, coached many different types of sports at different levels, was a broadcaster, newswriter, author, carpenter, landscaper, housekeeper, nanny; I have bought and sold over 25 cars, eaten at a wide variety of restaurants, worn many different styles of clothes; I have black friends, white friends, friends from foreign countries; I have a long marriage with two well adjusted kids; I laugh easily, cry often, and can talk to just about anyone.
I don't have those model good looks. My head is bald, my stomach round. I am short and not a great dresser. I am not a caricature or a stereotype. But I am an Everyman. I am your kindly old uncle type who can listen, ask you questions, give you advice, be your champion, and have fun all at the same time.
So, Oprah, as you get ready to say goodbye, let's talk. Together we can keep the candle lit. I even promise to try and help Chicago get the Olympics.
Doughnut
Oprah has long championed the underdog. She looks for the best in people and is always an optimist. She has been a leader in civil rights and women's rights, and she shared her struggle with us on her weight loss. We love Oprah because she is one of us. She is an icon, but she relates and gives back.
With her leaving the talk show circuit, there comes an opening for someone else. There are plenty of women on daytime talks...Bonnie Hunt, Ellen, and Tyra all fill the void for women. Dr. Oz and The Doctors have healthcare covered. Dr. Phil helps with problems. It is time that someone filled the empty spot. What empty spot you might ask?
The Baby Boomer Generation does not have anyone. Regis can hardly fill that when he has that cute little honey next to him. I propose that CBS let Don Shields try and fill the void. I have the experience, the knowledge, the ability to talk that could bring people to the TV set during the day. I am more than willing to travel for the job and we can talk about compensation later. But think of it.... I grew up in a small town, worked all kinds of dirty jobs, went to the college of Presidents (EUREKA COLLEGE) taught school, coached many different types of sports at different levels, was a broadcaster, newswriter, author, carpenter, landscaper, housekeeper, nanny; I have bought and sold over 25 cars, eaten at a wide variety of restaurants, worn many different styles of clothes; I have black friends, white friends, friends from foreign countries; I have a long marriage with two well adjusted kids; I laugh easily, cry often, and can talk to just about anyone.
I don't have those model good looks. My head is bald, my stomach round. I am short and not a great dresser. I am not a caricature or a stereotype. But I am an Everyman. I am your kindly old uncle type who can listen, ask you questions, give you advice, be your champion, and have fun all at the same time.
So, Oprah, as you get ready to say goodbye, let's talk. Together we can keep the candle lit. I even promise to try and help Chicago get the Olympics.
Doughnut
Thursday, August 6, 2009
The Real Story Behind My Marriage
It has been a while since I wrote. I apologize. I went to Laughlin, Nevada, for an anniversary weekend with my lovely wife. Notice there are no quotation marks around lovely, because she truly is that. In all aspects, she is really a beautiful person. Afterall, who could put up with me for 34+ years and still have such a sunny disposition?
Not many know the story about how I met her. We were both students at Eureka College in Eureka, Illinois back in the 1970s. Well, she was. I had quit to try and become a broadcaster in Roswell, New Mexico, but was going to return to EC after a failed attempt at the real world outside of college life.
I went to campus the week before school was out there in May of 1973 and went to a party where I spied this gorgeous brunette wearing a pair of hip huggers that swished when she walked and mesmerized me. She also had hair so long that she could sit on it and that made her seem Godiva-like. I talked her into leaving the party for the evening, and her boyfriend who was drunk, and we went for a slow ride on a fast motorcycle around the lake. We were two crazy kids getting to know each other. I dropped her back off at her dorm and promised to meet her at breakfast.
The following morning, I was getting ready to bike it out and back home, and I stopped at the mess hall to see her. She was sitting with her boyfriend. We exchanged pleasantries and I eventually had to get on the road. As I was leaving, I turned to him and said, "You better treat her right, or she is going to be mine in the fall." Little did I know how prophetic that was.
During the summer, Dorothy and I exchanged letters, and finally she told me that she and her boyfriend had broken up. I rode my Honda 750 immediately up north to Des Plaines, braving the dreaded TriState Tollway to see her. Her parents and I hit it off well, and they invited me to stay with them for the weekend. By the time Dorothy and I returned to campus in the fall, we were pretty tight. I knew she was the one for me, but I had not asked her yet for her hand.
One night in October, while we were sitting in my room, I asked her to marry me. Shockingly, she said she would have to think about it! I was crushed; at least for about 20 minutes. When she said, "Yes." I asked her, "Yes, What?" And she hit me and said she would marry me.
So, on Parent's weekend, dressed as the Eureka College Red Devil (makeup and all), I asked permission of her parents to marry her. They grudgingly agreed since I told them that being a devil was not my intention for the rest of my life, but rather becoming a teacher was.
The next weekend, we went home to Hoopeston to tell my mother. As we were sitting at dinner in the Pizza King there on Route 1, I noticed smoke around the lights and people milling around outside of the building. As I went to open the door, flames shot in. We were the only customers in the place and there were only about four people working, so we scurried out the back door. As Dorothy, Mom and I got around to the front, the ceiling of the restaurant collapsed. I knew then that Dorothy and I were made to be together.
I tell this story to let you know that our relationship started out hot and remains so, thirty-six years later! Marriage is full of little problems, but we avoided the big one...not getting together at all.
Happy Anniversary, my love.
Doughnut
Not many know the story about how I met her. We were both students at Eureka College in Eureka, Illinois back in the 1970s. Well, she was. I had quit to try and become a broadcaster in Roswell, New Mexico, but was going to return to EC after a failed attempt at the real world outside of college life.
I went to campus the week before school was out there in May of 1973 and went to a party where I spied this gorgeous brunette wearing a pair of hip huggers that swished when she walked and mesmerized me. She also had hair so long that she could sit on it and that made her seem Godiva-like. I talked her into leaving the party for the evening, and her boyfriend who was drunk, and we went for a slow ride on a fast motorcycle around the lake. We were two crazy kids getting to know each other. I dropped her back off at her dorm and promised to meet her at breakfast.
The following morning, I was getting ready to bike it out and back home, and I stopped at the mess hall to see her. She was sitting with her boyfriend. We exchanged pleasantries and I eventually had to get on the road. As I was leaving, I turned to him and said, "You better treat her right, or she is going to be mine in the fall." Little did I know how prophetic that was.
During the summer, Dorothy and I exchanged letters, and finally she told me that she and her boyfriend had broken up. I rode my Honda 750 immediately up north to Des Plaines, braving the dreaded TriState Tollway to see her. Her parents and I hit it off well, and they invited me to stay with them for the weekend. By the time Dorothy and I returned to campus in the fall, we were pretty tight. I knew she was the one for me, but I had not asked her yet for her hand.
One night in October, while we were sitting in my room, I asked her to marry me. Shockingly, she said she would have to think about it! I was crushed; at least for about 20 minutes. When she said, "Yes." I asked her, "Yes, What?" And she hit me and said she would marry me.
So, on Parent's weekend, dressed as the Eureka College Red Devil (makeup and all), I asked permission of her parents to marry her. They grudgingly agreed since I told them that being a devil was not my intention for the rest of my life, but rather becoming a teacher was.
The next weekend, we went home to Hoopeston to tell my mother. As we were sitting at dinner in the Pizza King there on Route 1, I noticed smoke around the lights and people milling around outside of the building. As I went to open the door, flames shot in. We were the only customers in the place and there were only about four people working, so we scurried out the back door. As Dorothy, Mom and I got around to the front, the ceiling of the restaurant collapsed. I knew then that Dorothy and I were made to be together.
I tell this story to let you know that our relationship started out hot and remains so, thirty-six years later! Marriage is full of little problems, but we avoided the big one...not getting together at all.
Happy Anniversary, my love.
Doughnut
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