Dash Off a Memory, Create a Memoir/Marriage Proposal


It's Guest Blog Friday, and here's Dorothy Ann Skarles with a marriage proposal.

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Photo credit:  Makena G

Out of nowhere, he proposed, “Will you marry me?”

In the grip of surprise, I blurted, “I have to think about it.”

My mind reeled at our whirlwind courtship—all of five dates and an interval of a three-month family vacation to Mississippi.

First date, a Saturday night college dance. The second date included a Sunday drive to the mountains in an antique ford car that could barely make it up hill, but would speed lickety-split back down. On top of a mountain where you could see forever, I learned how to shoot a rifle left-handed while target shooting.

The following week, on a third date, we went fishing.  He began to bait my hook, and I said as the boat moved up and down from a wave, “If you don’t mind, I’d like to bait my own hook and cast out.”

When we came home with an over-flow of a bucket of perch, Momma laughed and said, “Daddy asked if you really went fishin’, better call him up and tell him we’re having a fish fry.”


Photo credit:  Rickydavid

I left for vacation the following week, and when I came home, Momma drove into the driveway and shrieked, “Good Lord, there he is again waiting for you on the doorstep.”

Our forth date was a fraternity dance, followed by a fifth date for a dinner and show. At the end of a bewitching evening, we strolled along the city sidewalks and stopped at a jewelry store to look at rings.

On September 1st, magic happened, and I became engaged along with shocked my parents with the news that we were getting married by a minister in a church in three days.

Father flaked out on the couch. Mother said, “The least you can do is wait a week.”

A whirlwind of activity followed, and we were married on September 10th, with both sides of our families at the church.

I was even late for the wedding. Music played “Here Comes the Bride,” over and over and I still stood next to my father as if I was riveted to the oak floor. Daddy put his arm around my shoulder and gave me a hug. “Old Top, you don’t have to get married if you don’t want too. Don’t worry about anything, the gifts can be given back, and they can all eat mamma’s dinner and go home.”

This is the FAST "Dashing Off A Memory" version of a great day and marriage that lasted over forty years.

My husband always said I hooked him when I bated my own hook.

But you know what?

I never put another worm on my hook again.

Jim always did it for me.

What can you write about getting engaged or married for your memoir?

daskarles©2011

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P.S.  Dorothy's book, Scent of Diamonds, is on sale at Amazon for a limited time for 99 cents.

Thanks Dorothy.