On Monday it will be Laurie’s and mine’s 19th wedding anniversary. We met through a personal ad I had put into the local paper. I knew Laurie was different from other women I had dated as she started to do sound effects during our first date. We soon found out we had people in common yet we had never met. The wildest was her mother knew my mother when my mother was pregnant with me! We almost met years ago earlier. In the 60’s Red Skelton was at the Allentown Fair. Somehow I had heard that Red was at Hess’s Department Store so I went to the store as it was only two blocks from our house. As I was getting off the fourth floor escalator, I saw Red give an autograph to young girl. When we started dating I found that Laurie was the girl I saw getting the autograph. Sadly neither of us has our autographs from Red Skelton.
From that first date, our love blossomed and especially when she found she enjoyed my world of toys. It was a whole new world different than her world of travel that she was involved in. She found it fascinating. She enjoyed going with me to the flea market s and toy shows. It only took us little more than a year to get married from the first date. We have been through good times and bad, we have had a lot of fun we would not had if we were still single.
Tonight we will go out to a fine restaurant called Olive Branch. The restaurant serves Middle Eastern food which we enjoy. Then on Monday, we will go to a local Perkins restaurant. We had met at a restaurant called CHI’s Chi’s, but it was so noisy we went to a nearby Perkins to continue the date. The first restaurant is long gone, so we will go to a Perkins to celebrate.
And, among the other things in common, you both love dogs! Happy anniversary!
Yes you are right Don. Cindy minature border collie was jealous of Laurie until Laurie started feeding her. They became best buddies. Jasmine was a sweetheart who was a fun dog. The three we have now are fun. We love dogs, I just have to keep saying three is enough.
Happy Anniversary Laurie & “Stad”!!!! I remember reading the wedding announcement in PFPC (also Glenn Riddenaur’s (SP??) wedding was mentioned in the same block ad from Tom). Can’t believe it’s been 19 years!! God bless you guys and your canine “sons” with many, many more good years.
I actually remember the first time you and your bride (then girlfriend) showed up at Hackensack and the buzz the swept the room. The majority of comments were how perfect you two were together.
Congratulations and many more……….Bill
Yes it was Laurie’s second experience selling at a show and third show overall. I spooked her at the show when I bought a Jescan Indian set from Ric Bracomontes for $60.00. She was shocked on how much I spent on it until I explained to her I had made nice bit of money and decided to treat myself to an item for the collection. Once it was explain to her, Laurie understood. Since then she has been very support of my collection and knows that I buy carefully for myself. She has gotten a lot interesting things from me as well due to doing shows such as mounted Indian jumping over a buffalo and Mammoth with caveman in its trunk. These two pieces we got at a show in Karbon, Germany.
I had tried to find a woman to share my life but it had not worked out until I met Laurie. I was so glad I found Laurie as she has made my life complete.
Well, since everybody is remembering when they first saw you and Laurie together, I can clearly remember meeting her at OTSN in Chicago. I can’t remember the year, but I remember hitting your room at the Hyatt-Regency, and there she was. My recollection was that PFPC had announced your marriage, and you and Laurie had not even reached your first anniversary yet. But I remember meeting Laurie and thinking how friendly she was, and how happy and contented with life Paul seemed.
Don thanks for the kind words. It had been a long hunt to find someone to share my life. Laurie enjoys the hobby and gives me a second pair of eyes looking for things. Laurie is very interesting person, when I told my staff at the time, she is crazy as me they went oh no. Laurie is lots of fun, she is a natural comedian like me and a very good person to bounce ideas off. She likes that I am not a meat and potatoes type of guy and enjoys different types of food. She enjoys the toys.