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Saturday, June 6, 2009

Victorian Parlor's Tea Party

     You are going to have to take a seat on the porch and have a couple of cups of tea to hear this whole story.  I never told this story to my children, so I thought it would be a good time to have it in writing.  These are my most beloved dishes----never used---nope too too special.  Some I bought with good garage sale karma---some were wedding gifts---I thought it was too expensive to register for but our guests found out the pattern after some delving ( I am glad they did) and most of it was gifts from my husband.
     I met my husband when I was 18.  I was working as a salad person in a seafood restaurant.  ALL of my friends except for one went to college that year.  Our first date was New Years Eve of 1978.  We dated seriously but by March I was feeling very regretful about not going to college.  I quit community college right around when I met Glen.  As it would have it,  a very good friend made an appointment with the dean where she was going to school.  It was Bloomsburg State----31/2 hours away.....I got in---I decided to start that summer semester.  Glen and I kept our relationship for a couple of years.  One time when my friend and I were home from college she suggested we go into this very high-end gift and china store.  We were kidding around of what kind of dishes and glassware we would have.  When Glen asked what I did that day I told him and told him I fell in love with these dishes called Blue Canton by Mottehedeh.  I took a postcard and showed him the picture.  I was collecting post cards even then so I kept the postcard.
       My third year at college I was at a crossroad.  I didn't get into the school of business to be an Accounting Major, but had taken a lot of Accounting classes.  I was hired to be a Resident Advisor.  They started a new class called Psychology of Adjustment.  A great class, but it made me very head strong.  By November of that year I decided Glen and I weren't really going anywhere.  I was saying no to a lot of invitations to formal dances.  I really was surprised I was getting asked out by other guys.  The ratio was seven girls to one guy.  Since, I met Glen while I was so young I decided in order for me to make any plans for the rest of my life I really needed to be a free bird.....you know let them go if they come back they are yours.....if they don't they never were. 
      That Christmas my parents were down in Florida and they bought me a ticket to spend the holiday with them.  I needed a ride to the airport.......who did I ask????  Glen, of course, but he was late and it made me mad at him and flustered when I went to tell them where my luggage was going I told them the wrong airport.....I literally had to run to the gate to get on my plane....awkward moment do I kiss him????  I do......he hands me an envelope and I get even madder----I didn't have time from classes to leaving to get him anything......I was like no---you took me to the airport and I didn't get you anything.  He said take it and don't open it until Christmas.
     When I open it that morning I am stunned......My mom is like what is it... what is it????I tell her it is a gift certificate for the 5 pc place setting of the dishes I told Glen  I liked three years ago.   I look at her do you know what that means?????  She says yes.......I try to reach Glen all day long.....back then on Christmas I heard all circuits are busy until 7pm that evening.  By the time I reach Glen he sounds horrible, defeated and mad that I didn't call him right away....I try to explain and the phone call is a disaster......I feel this really is not meant to be......life goes on we hit some more bumps and I go back to school not feeling good about Glen at all.  I hate the fact I know he wants to have a future with me, but we still end up fighting anytime we speak......I am miserable.......things start to turn around....I refused to go home for a while because my parents are in Florida.  We started talking on the phone again and decided to see each other again at Easter.....we get pre-engaged......I decide not to go back to school.......That August we get engaged and a year later we are married.   How could I not marry Glen?  Who else would ever remember a china dish pattern I told about years before?????  He is still as thoughtful today as he was then!  Oh yeah, and see the little sign that says my china pattern.  That would be the same one that was there when the whole story started.  I ended up working for the store it was all bought in.  I worked there for 9 years and it had been there for 35 years.  I asked if I could have the sign when the store closed and they said yes.  I call it the little sign of my future!
  

16 comments:

The Victorian Parlor said...

What a beautiful story! I love the fact that using our good dishes, linens, etc can evoke such wonderful memories and happiness!

Thanks for being a co-hostess at today's tea party!

Blessings,

Kim

mIzZ (hONeY) bEe aka Marlene said...

OMG Geralyn...what a beautiful story...oh how sweet is Glen - you have one special guy there...to think he remember the china pattern..you are truly blessed my friend...I hope we can see each other soon...I'm off to Parcel & Lil Cricket..I'll be sharing photos tonight on my blog with info of a special event my little brother is hosting...please do stop by my yard & have a cup of tea with me...toodles noodles Ms. Lady Bug of Signs...have a honey of a day! grace peace & joy 2 "U" my friend...Marlene :O)

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful story and here you are 20 something years later still together. So Sweet. I see that the Paper Source grand opening is July 18th. I am going to try to get a few friends to come with me. I live in PA, about an hour from Princeton. I'm so excited.

sew revived said...

Oh Geralyn!
How sweet! And when you mentioned the old "set them free.." verse I bust out laughing. We lived by that motto when we young, didn't we? Please stop by and treat me to some more wonderful stories!
Sandy

april o. said...

Hi Sweets! I tagged you again. Check my blog for details!

Jodie (everything vintage) said...

Wow Geralyn...all because of some china...that is totally awesome!
Well thank you VERY much for sharing your favorite china with us, that makes me feel so special!!!!
Enjoyed the visit tremendously!
everything vintage

Deanna said...

Dear One,
Nice to meet you and hear your love story.
Enjoyed the fellowship and tea.
Hope you'll drop by my porch and have tea.
Blessings,
~Deanna~

June said...

What a darling story. Indeed, how could you not marry this man. A lovely pattern as well.
Smiles,
June

dragonflydreamer said...

So lovely; the china pattern, the love story, and sharing it here with us and for your children. I wish I could read something so beautiful about my parents and what Mom was feeling when they were young. Such a great idea. Glen is definitely a keeper. I bet you couldn't have imagined what a lovely family and life you would share together. I also loved reading the...if you love something, set it free. Sometimes it's hard to remember being that young and sometimes it feels as if it wasn't so long ago.

I always enjoy my visits with you. You are an inspiration to me and so many others.

xoxo Susi

A Fanciful Life said...

I love hearing stories about people's lives. Thanks so much for sharing that - so appropriate for you tea party today. Yes, this set is very, very special!

Draffin Bears said...

Hi Geralyn,

How lovely to meet you and thanks for visiting my blog.

What a beautiful love story and how neat that it worked out well for you.

Love your China set, such a beautiful pattern.

have a great week
Hugs
Carolyn

crochet lady said...

Thanks so much for stopping by to stay hello yesterday.

Now that story is the real treasure, to have and hold dear.

The china is beautiful, I feel peaceful looking at it.

Jen

The French Bear said...

That is such a lovely story, how romantic!! I love your dishes, they are a part of your treasure of memories that can be passed down to your children.....
Hugs,
Margaret B

Linda said...

I absolutely love this story!! :) It's wonderful. The only thing though, I would be using the dishes on special occasions - there's a poem somewhere about using those special items because life is too short.

Thanks for sharing this beautiful story with us.

Pam @ Frippery said...

Geralyn, what a great story for your children to read and a tribute to your wonderful husband. What a guy! You are so lucky he persevered and won you over. Definitely a good life choice. So glad you and Glen and your china all got together. Hugs, Pam

Illuminated Manuscripts Workshop said...

Geralyn... what a lovely story. Thank you for sharing it. I sat and read it this morning over my favorite hot cinnamon spice tea... It is truely the history of things that make them precious isn't it. Finally got my tea party up, pop by when you get a chance, I left the side gate open for you...

BTW: So glad you enjoyed Parcel
Blessings,
Rosalind