"Every house where love abides
And friendship is a guest,
Is surely home, and home sweet home
For there the heart can rest."
~ Henry Van Dyke

Thursday, March 22, 2012

80 year old love story

Once upon a time, a little girl was born and named Nancy. She was the apple of her daddy's eye and he loved taking lots of photos of her...


She might be dirty and wearing her mom's old hat but he loved to take those photos...


I have it on the best authority (her mother) that Nancy grew up very spoiled as the youngest child in the family...


She was no longer a little girl...


And ended up meeting this young marine named Bill...



He was 7 years older than her but he kept asking her out. She thought he was an old man but finally did go out with him. She received a Christmas gift from him of an album of the musical Carousel in 1956...


That was it...it was too late...she was in love and she married her Bill...


They left for a life in the military. You see Bill went into the Air Force...


Nancy and Bill had 4 children. Bill was the oldest, followed by Fawn. Then 5 years later, Heidi came along and remained the baby, until 3 years later, Eric arrived. The family was complete...


But as each story has an ending, Bill passed away all too soon at the age of only 59. He is still missed by the family to this day. How could you not miss someone who was fondly called Bear by his family?


Today, my dad Bill would have been 80 years old. 

Happy birthday to you dad! 

17 comments:

Nancy said...

Yes, he did leave us wayyyy too soon.
I spent many happy years with your Dad and I also wish him a Happy Birthday. I think I need to go visit his grave today with some new flowers and a flag.
Your blog entry is very nice, except you could have left out some of the pictures. lol
Now, as you know, your package came while we were on skype and I love the card and the beautiful tote and cloth basket you made. You are so clever to find Red Riding Hood fabric since that was one of your many nick names when you knocked on the door. Over and over and over. Oh yes, did I say over. haha.
Thank you very much. I love the card too, it is perfect.
Love you and so does your Daddy, Heid
Mom

onlymehere said...

This was beautiful Heidi. I enjoyed seeing the pictures of her through the years and learning more about your dad. I'm sure he's smiling up above at your tribute to him. :)

Mandie said...

Oh man...I'm at work and totally tearing up! Happy and sad at the same time. He is Bear because of me and I miss him so very very much. I loved him so much. He used to save me from getting in trouble with my dad by taking food off my plate and play with me when I was little. I still regret not being there for his funeral. Happy birthday Bear! Love you and miss you so so much!

Manda

Patricia said...

That was a lovely tribute to your dad Heidi, thankyou for sharing it. P x

Betty Lou said...

What a beautiful love story. Your dad left this earth to soon but left a loving family. Both my parents passed away young, my mother at 37; my father at 49.

Rhonda said...

oh Heidi, what a sweet family history you have and you did such a sweet job telling it here with pictures.

Nancy, I think ALL the pictures are wonderful.

Happy birthday to Bill, he sounds like an amazing man and I know you all miss him still.

Jenny said...

What a beautiful post Heidi! That was such a special tribute to your Dad and I loved all of the pictures. Family history is really special to me and I love hearing other peoples stories of how they met and their family life. Happy Birthday to your Dad! My dad was in the Air Force too...grins...

Anonymous said...

Very nice Heidi. Love you. Bull

Ginny said...

What a sweet tribute. Thank you for sharing the pictures and some of your family history.

Used-to-Bees said...

Sweet photos and a lovely story of how your parents met! I'm sorry your Dad was taken too soon.
x

Anonymous said...

Wat een mooi verhaal Heidi, het feit dat jij nu nog zo liefdevol aan je vader denkt komt omdat hij jou dat gegeven heeft en jij hem.
Nancy was vroeger al een knappe vrouw, leuk dat te mogen zien.
Liefs en huygies,Bep

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful love story and tribute. Happy birthday to your Dad.
Lillian
lillianscupboard.wordpress.com

Rowan said...

What a lovely story but sad that your Dad died so young. A very Happy Birthday to him

Jennifer Ann Fox said...

Oh so sorry. What a story but he went so early in life......

Jennifer
Feathers in the Nest

Susan in SC said...

What a sweet story of your parents. I know you still love both of them very much!

Joni Jegla CHL said...

Love this tribute!

Kristen said...

Awww... I love this story! All except the end. He holds a special place in my heart! I would have loved to watch football with Bear and eating buttery popcorn that is OH so bad for you! LOL :) I love the pictures too! I recognize them from a special book that we made! :) Love you Aunt Heidi!

Kristy