Remembering Ralph with a smile

“I sport a mustache.”

That was what a guy who received my name from a dating service said on the phone when he was describing himself as we planned to meet.

I was intrigued. 

It was 1985, even though the way he spoke made me feel like I was living in 1885!

Little did I know after that initial phone conversation that that guy on the phone would become my beloved husband, Ralph. 

The restaurant where we met in Milford, Ct. is long gone, but my memory of that January 30 meeting lives forever.

I arrived there first. Ralph was clearly upset that I had to wait for him for about three minutes. 

We got a table. He had a beer, I had a glass of wine. 

We talked about all kinds of things and as was always the case throughout our marriage, Ralph did most of the talking! 

I was struck by how family-oriented he was. He told me about his family. He was the second oldest of seven kids, five sisters and one brother. 

We were almost the same age. I had just turned 30, and his 30th birthday was three months away. 

Today is the 37th anniversary of our meeting! We were best friends almost from the start. It truly was meant to be. 

Ralph passed away at home on December 2 but today I can smile through my tears as I think about that day in 1985 and how his love changed my life for the better - forever.