Phase 1 of my relationship with Gina was completely unplanned. It seemed to arise from nowhere, like the skeletal warriors in Jason and the Argonauts. There was never that potentially awkward “asking them out” moment.There was Gina, and there was Dave. And then, in the first moments of a kiss in a parking lot, there was us. The permanence of us was an unstated reality from the beginning.
But I couldn't just say yes. I broke into song.
Phase 2 was, for me, just as sudden. For Gina it was the subject of some considerable worry and planning. It had been nearly four years since that first rainy night. I was in the midst of my doctoral research at Rutgers, and she was looking at various PhD programs. We were just cruising along.
We were walking through a shopping mall in the early summer of 1990. She suddenly said “I need to tell you something.” Considering my relationship history, I assumed that she was dumping me. What she said was much different. She had been accepted to a doctoral program in Boston. She started in the fall. Would I move up there with her?
This gave me a LOT to think about. My research was progressing very slowly; an early cessation would probably mean that my PhD dreams would never come true. We were still living in separate apartments, so moving in together in Boston would be A Big Step. I had also never before considered leaving New Jersey. But if she went and I didn’t, would we be able to stay together?
I deliberated the pros and cons of moving to Boston with Gina for a long time; at least five seconds. Maybe six.
But I couldn’t just say yes. I broke into song. In a crowded mall. A tune I remembered from when I was very young…
“I love you, I love you, I love you,
And where you go I’ll follow, I’ll follow, I’ll follow…”
Dave VentreA hyper-annuated wannabee scientist with a lovely wife and a mountain biking problem.
Great song by Little Peggy March, from 1963, a perfect way to tell Gina your answer. But I gotta say, it doesn’t sound like you were embarrassed at all! Was she?
I have a very high tolerance for embarrassment. Gina was mortified.
I will follow him…follow him wherever he may go. There isn’t an ocean too deep, A mountain so high it can keep, keep me away…away from from man!
We all loved this song. It was Hope and Bruce’s song in 7th grade. Great song. Did you do a little dance too?
I love it, I love it, I love it, that you broke out in song! And a perfect (and perfectly spontaneous) response.
Very sweet, funny, and well-put-together love story, Dave! I loved it, I loved it, I loved it / I really, really loved it, and so on. Tks!
I love this, Dave. So sweet and an awesome song!
Very nice, Dave, you needn’t be embarrassed!
Marian, I generally get embarrassed only when I feel I have done something wrong by my own standards.
We love it, we love it, we love it…and now look what you’ve done, Dave!
Oh Dave, that’s not an embarrassment story, that’s a love story!
It was for Gina!