Several weeks ago, my sweet parents celebrated their 7th anniversary. And somehow, they managed to have each of their now-adult children within the holy bonds of matrimony. That's because my parents only celebrate a legitimate anniversary every four years on Leap Day.
I hoped to scan a wedding photo of theirs to include with this post, but I lack both the photo and the scanner. And as I searched through my photos of the two of them, I realized there aren't any without one of us kids in between them. So I'll post a favorite from the anniversary they spent visiting me in China.
The story of their meeting and courting is one I love to both hear and tell... My parents met at a corn dog stand at the Eastern Idaho State Fair (how awesome is THAT?!) in the fall of '79. My dad was pretty smitten by the tall blonde selling battered hot dogs on a stick (who can blame the man?) and made sure to cross paths with her the next day at a single adult fireside. For their first date, he gave her the option between a few restaurants in the area, and asked if she had heard of one particular new restaurant and she replied that indeed she had. During the meal, several waitresses greeted my mom by name and dad just figured she was a friendly gal (indeed, she is). It wasn't until a few dates later that dad discovered mom actually owned the restaurant :). Still, her defense remains "we needed the business," delivered with a wink and a smirk. They courted through the fall and to this day, my dad finds fall the most romantic time of the year. They were married that February, and Leap Day happened to fall on Friday that week. I don't think they picked the date intentionally - in fact, if memory serves, it was really a matter of convenience more than anything else :) - but for the past 28 years (or at least the 20 or so that I've been around for) it's been one of my favorite facts about them. I always looked forward to Leap Day to say "my parents have only had four anniversaries." It was funny to me every four years (funny in the same vein as saying "see ya next year" on New Year's Eve), and as evidenced by this post, I'm still getting mileage out of it.
Happy Anniversary, you two!
10 comments:
I LOVE that story! What kind of restaurant did your mom own?
It was a homestyle cooking kind of place - it's actually still a restaurant in Pocatello. New name, new management...
Awww, happy anniversary to your parents! How cool to have an anniversary on leap day! And I'm glad to know I'm not the only one to justify blog addiction as a means of recording my family legacy!
That's so crazy! I love the restaurant story -- and the Feb. 29 issue. So awesome!
that is adorable. I can picture the story in my mind. You are such a great writer!
Allison, I don't know what it is about this picture, but you look uber tiny in it. Could you possibly tell me which way to the Emerald City?
I didn't know your parents met over a corn dog. What a cute story. Also, never remind me of the Charles in Charge theme song right before bed time. (Especially since it reminded me that I also know all the words to The Facts of Life theme song.)
Yeah, I don't think they picked leap day to be cute. Not really their style. In fact, if memory serves, they both went to work that morning before the ceremony.
Oh allison, I am glad you wrote on my blog! you guys are so cute! I miss those days of Young Womens when you would tell us of all your dateing woes! We really should do lunch, that would be alot of fun!
How funny, I've never associated romance with your parents- Julie and Koryn just "appeared" one day and we had a big party. But I did think of them on leap day as I was attending a wedding that day. Yay for happy endings :)
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