'Say I Do' Take Two

In commenting about my previous post, Paula asked, “Rodney, would you mind telling us “your” story? – How you went from “I’m too late” to “I do”? I’ve got a feeling that it would be a beautiful story (and I love hearing how people met).” Marianne wanted the story too, so here goes.

While we certainly weren’t an item as such, I was spending a bit of time with a young lady around December 1991 and January 1992. She was invited to a big picnic event at the showgrounds by a friend. My friend asked if she could bring somone else; me.

On the day of the event, I picked up my friend and we headed over to pick up the person who had invited her, who happened to be one of Pauline’s sisters. We got to Pauline’s parents’ place and were invited in.

I met Pauline in her mum’s kitchen. I could see right away that she was incredibly beautiful. I popped my eyes back in my head and tried to assess the situation.

Pauline and her mum were looking at photos from a family wedding they had recently been to in Queensland. I thought that the photos must have been from Pauline’s wedding and I thought, “I’m too late”. After quickly checking Pauline’s ring finger I realised that wasn’t the case. I thought at the time that it was probably innapropriate to be thinking that way. As I mentioned before, the lady I was there with was only a friend but it did seem like bad form to be so absolutely distracted.

Together with my friend and Pauline’s sister, I got in the car and headed off.

Meanwhile, Pauline and her mum, who were heading to the same event, got in another car and started towards the showgrounds. Apparently Pauline said something in the car to her mother to the effect that it was a shame that all of the good ones were taken. Pauline obviously hadn’t checked my ring finger and thought that I was a married man. Her mum told her that my friend and I weren’t married and in fact, as far as she knew, we weren’t even an item.

We managed to catch up at lunchtime at the showgrounds and chatted for a little while. I was smitten.

It actually took another couple of months for us to get together but once we did we started talking about marriage very quickly. By the middle of the year I was convinced that I was not just in love but that I was prepared to commit my life to Pauline, to love her no matter what for the rest of our days. I asked, she said yes, we got hitched.

As a bit of a joke I came up with the motto, “Say ‘I Do’ in ’92” in late 1991. As it turned out it wasn’t so much a joke as a wonderful reality.

That’s the very abridged version. Paula and Marianne, I hope that answers your question.

Posted by Rodney Olsen

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