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I had just gone through a bad divorce. I had a child. I was living with my grandparents. My life was upside down. Looking for a job was out of the question as far as my grandparents were concerned. I was looking anyway. They weren�t happy. My job was to stay home and raise my son and they would take care of the rest. Well not in my book. Mother had left me with them to raise. I didn�t want that for my son. We were working things out about my working. I was of course, loosing. But by pinching pennies I could make it for a while. Maybe I could convince them. Pop did suggest that I try the office at the Bethlehem Steel. He could make a few calls. They had done so much for me that I really wanted to do this on my own. Nothing in Bethlehem but the Steel Mill or Lehigh University and a few assorted stores.
I had started to date my present husband. The family liked him. My son liked him. Me? I wasn�t ready for a relationship, let alone think about marriage! He drove 2 hours one way when he came to see me. Always left by 9 PM so that he could be up for work the next morning by 5AM. We didn�t do anything special. Maybe a ride through the campus, or over to my Aunt and Uncles, or just spend time with Mom and Pop.
It was May and Richard�s Birthday was coming. I walked down to Third St. to the stores and saw nothing that interested me. Nothing interested Billy except ice cream! As we walked up New St. I looked in a jewelry store window. Interested I walked in and asked to see cufflinks and tie TAC�s. I figured, not personal, but nice enough for a gift. Sold and Billy liked them also. They were shiny why shouldn�t he!
When I got home I showed them to pop and Mom and they approved. Glad they did. I sure didn�t want to look anymore and in a few days, it was his birthday.
The day arrived. Of course Grammy made a nice dinner and my Aunt had called to say she had baked Rich a cake, but I was to say nothing to him. We ate and off to Aunt Edies we went.
Rich, like me enjoyed the road through the University. It was a beautiful ride from one end to the other. The dormitories are beautiful as were the trees turning so green and flowering. Half way through I asked him to pull into a parking area. He did. We handed him his Birthday Gift and said �Happy Birthday!� He was surprised, but not as surprised as me when he said,� This is for you, open it first� I was shocked. I opened the box and it dawned on me. Oh no! I am not ready for this. It�s too soon! I opened the final box and inside was the engagement ring, wedding band and the groom�s ring. I just looked at him. I didn�t know what to say. I didn�t have to say anything. He said it for me. �We�re getting married!� I just looked at him and said, after a deep breath, �Yes�. Eight months later we were married in a quiet ceremony in a little Catholic Church. That was 42 yrs. Ago. He has yet to propose!
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