The nine-month waiting period until September 13th is a blur in my memory. The only thing for which I was responsible was planning our honeymoon, no easy task for a guy who had never traveled outside of his home turf except by car to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (see blog, SOMETHING IS BURNING), but I was game to give it my best shot.
Our wedding was at 2:00 p.m., followed by a reception at the bride's home. Ruth's sister, Grace and my cousin, Jack were maid of honor and best man, respectively. The wedding went off without a hitch, although some of the people attending were not sure who was getting married, as the pastor addressed us as Henry and Helen, rather than Harry and Ruth!
After a crowded time at the reception, we headed for North Philadelphia train station with family in tow. Into the train we went, found our seats and sank back, exhausted. The porter put the three suitcases up on the rack, looked at the fifty cents I gave him, and gently reminded me that the usual tip was fifty cents a bag. How was an inexperienced, young man like me to know that?
We arrived in NYC at 8:00 p.m. and took a cab to the hotel. The cab driver looked at the $1.00 tip I gave him and kept his hand out until I upped the ante.
Good night.
More, later.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
COME HELL OR HIGH WATER (OR SNOW)
Does that title mean what I think it means; i.e., no matter the obstacle, the objective is going to be met.
On February 13, 1941, the Philadelphia area was hit with a very heavy snowstorm. Bad news! I had promised my beloved that I would visit her on Valentines Day. What was a guy to do?
I did what any red-blooded fiance would do. I put a pair of socks, some pajamas, and a box of candy in a bag and headed for Philadelphia, thankful that the the New Jersey buses were running.
When I reached downtown Philadelphia, the situation was different. NO PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AT ALL! It took me three car thumbings to reach Girard Avenue, the transfer point. No cars! No trolleys! No nothing! It was eerie. Suddenly a large tractor-trailer truck appeared. He stopped and offered me a lift. Unbelieveably, he was going right to Ruth's house. What a break!
Ruth was sitting at the front window, waiting for me inspite of her family's warning that I couldn't possibly make it. When I jumped out of the truck in front of the house, she was so happy that all she could do was cry.
More, later.
P.S. The dry clothes came in handy and the candy was delicious.
On February 13, 1941, the Philadelphia area was hit with a very heavy snowstorm. Bad news! I had promised my beloved that I would visit her on Valentines Day. What was a guy to do?
I did what any red-blooded fiance would do. I put a pair of socks, some pajamas, and a box of candy in a bag and headed for Philadelphia, thankful that the the New Jersey buses were running.
When I reached downtown Philadelphia, the situation was different. NO PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AT ALL! It took me three car thumbings to reach Girard Avenue, the transfer point. No cars! No trolleys! No nothing! It was eerie. Suddenly a large tractor-trailer truck appeared. He stopped and offered me a lift. Unbelieveably, he was going right to Ruth's house. What a break!
Ruth was sitting at the front window, waiting for me inspite of her family's warning that I couldn't possibly make it. When I jumped out of the truck in front of the house, she was so happy that all she could do was cry.
More, later.
P.S. The dry clothes came in handy and the candy was delicious.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
FOLLOW-UP
Early in 1940, my parents and I had a number of talks about my relationship with Ruth. They reminded me that I wasn't yet 20 years of age, and that I needed to concentrate on my budding shipyard career. I assured them that my time with her was nothing more than a good friendship.
The friendship began to grow deeper as the year went on, especially during weekends we spent together at a YMCA singles camp with sports-oriented programs. The four of us: Ruth, Jack and Maureen grew much closer as friends. That fall, I came to the conclusion that we were meant for each other.
So, that December, at a favorite Lovers Lane parking spot, I proposed and was accepted. Whoopee! We then travelled to give the good news to her parents (I had already prepped them) - and then to my parents.
Later that month, Ruth and I made a visit to Jewelers Row, in Philadelphia, to select a ring. When that was done, I plunked down $125.00, in cash and the ring was hers. On Christmas Eve, we showed the ring to our families.
September 13, 1941, was the date set for our wedding.
More, later.
P.S. Shortly thereafter, Jack and Maureen took the same steps.
The friendship began to grow deeper as the year went on, especially during weekends we spent together at a YMCA singles camp with sports-oriented programs. The four of us: Ruth, Jack and Maureen grew much closer as friends. That fall, I came to the conclusion that we were meant for each other.
So, that December, at a favorite Lovers Lane parking spot, I proposed and was accepted. Whoopee! We then travelled to give the good news to her parents (I had already prepped them) - and then to my parents.
Later that month, Ruth and I made a visit to Jewelers Row, in Philadelphia, to select a ring. When that was done, I plunked down $125.00, in cash and the ring was hers. On Christmas Eve, we showed the ring to our families.
September 13, 1941, was the date set for our wedding.
More, later.
P.S. Shortly thereafter, Jack and Maureen took the same steps.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
A BLIND DATE
The month of June, 1939, was an important time in my life.
One evening, I got a call from my friend Maureen. She had a friend visiting from Philadelphia, and needed a date for her. Would I oblige? Of course I would be glad to help my school buddy. Maureen and I had been friends for years with a sort of brother/sister relationship (she had no siblings) and I always enjoyed being with her.
Saturday night arrived and I was at Maureen's on time, properly dressed (jacket and tie). Her boyfriend, Jack, (another buddy of mine) was already there. Shortly, Maureen and her friend, Ruth, came down the stairs and I stood up to be introduced.* We spent the evening dancing, followed by late-night burgers. I invited Ruth to attend church with me the following morning and she agreed. When we arrived, my mother greeted Ruth with, "So, you are the young woman who kept my son out so late last night!"
On Sunday evening, we three drove Ruth to her home in northeast Philadelphia, where I met her family and, promised to call her soon.
More, later.
*Ruth told me later that she was so impressed that I stood to be introduced.
One evening, I got a call from my friend Maureen. She had a friend visiting from Philadelphia, and needed a date for her. Would I oblige? Of course I would be glad to help my school buddy. Maureen and I had been friends for years with a sort of brother/sister relationship (she had no siblings) and I always enjoyed being with her.
Saturday night arrived and I was at Maureen's on time, properly dressed (jacket and tie). Her boyfriend, Jack, (another buddy of mine) was already there. Shortly, Maureen and her friend, Ruth, came down the stairs and I stood up to be introduced.* We spent the evening dancing, followed by late-night burgers. I invited Ruth to attend church with me the following morning and she agreed. When we arrived, my mother greeted Ruth with, "So, you are the young woman who kept my son out so late last night!"
On Sunday evening, we three drove Ruth to her home in northeast Philadelphia, where I met her family and, promised to call her soon.
More, later.
*Ruth told me later that she was so impressed that I stood to be introduced.
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