The birthday boy age 21

This picture was taken about three months after we met when he was on his way back to the States after the six month cruise that bought him to Melbourne in 1956 during the Olympic Games. We met at a dance that was given for the enlisted men on the five warships that visited Australia ....the first since the end of the second world war.... by the American Ex Serviceman's Association. One of my mothers girl friends had married an American just after the end of the war and they settled in Melbourne. Her husband was the President of the Association at the time and part of the arrangements that had to be made to make the dance a success was for the members to round up as many young women as possible to attend the dance for the guys. My sister, friend Val and two other girls that I worked with made up a group of five who were thrilled to be asked to attend the dance. It was held on a Saturday night at Legget's Ballroom December 1956. Shortly after we arrived Perry and one of his friends approached us to ask us if we would like to dance. Unfortunately, his friend asked me to dance as he was physically closest.....all thru the dance Perry and I were catching glimpses of each other and I knew he had wanted to dance with me.......anyhow...long story shortened.....we hooked up a little later in the evening and sat next to each other for the rest of the night till the last dance was announced. Danced together.....that was IT.
He asked me to marry him that night!!!!! I said yes !!!! Unfortunately...or probably fortunately...at the tender age of seventeen my mother was not exactly thrilled with the idea. Smart lady tho....she said as Perry still had about a year and a half left until his enlistment was up...why didn't we see how things worked out during this time. I really did understand just how young I was and thought altho it was not exactly a wonderful idea, acceptable.
We kept up a long distance romance for a few months during which time Perry contacted Washington DC to find out how he could get me to the States. I still have the letter that was sent to him. No problem ! However it took us 19 years to actually get together again after me marrying and having three children, he marrying twice and having two children.
All through the intervening years we loosely kept in touch. Goes to show....true love very often finds a way.
Happy birthday babe...luv ya x x