Thursday, September 27, 2012

champagne kisses

As I told you yesterday, I would be back to tell you all how Mr.PvE and Mrs.PvE met 30 years ago on thursday in September.  It was not as glamourous as the above image, yet I will tell you when we met, there was an immediate attraction.  My eyes fluttered and I could sense he was rather quiet but very much the gentleman.  I always admire a man who can sport a hat while drinking champagne.
The invitation arrived to attend a party.  It did not come via mail or by internet, but a mere verbal invite while parting from an elevator to attend a party on the upper east side in Manhattan.  My thrify (poor) and athletic self chose to walk from 34th street where I was living in an all women's boarding house to the party in a 4th floor walk-up on third avenue.  It was an apartment shared by 4 young men who were all gainfully employed in top notch training programs in finance.  As you can imagine the ratio of boys to girls was in my favor.

Just as I was about getting ready to leave, I went to powder my nose (use the restroom) and as I walked out, a young man came in to get a beer as they were in the bath tub.  See I told you it was not as glamourous as you hoped for.  This young man proceeded to chat it up and then introduce his side-kick (Mr.PvE) who had a cigarette at the ready but turned in the wrong direction and proceeded to light it up.  "I said, I wouldn't smoke that if I were you" and he was rather embarrassed but we both laughed.  I do believe this was long before the danger warning on the side of the Marlboro pack.  He had a Tom Hanks sort of look with a European twist.  We left the party as a group and headed to Swell's for more socializing.  Up the stairs we went and Robin Williams went down the steps past us.
We met on a thursday.  The very next evening we had Dinner at Mortimer's on Lexington Avenue, and Saturday tickets to a Peter Tosh, Jimmy Cliff regae concert.  So, my dear readers that was the chance meeting that began long ago.  I was in my fifth year of college and working in New York as part of my University co-op work program in Fashion Design.  I left New York December 23rd and December 31st, he came to visit me for a New Year's Eve Champagne celebration. As Robin Leach of "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" would end his show with these parting words in his signature accent, "Champagne Kisses and caviar dreams."

all images are of John Steed and Emma Peel from The Avengers 1960's Television show

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

a chance encounter - all the more romantic!

pve design said...

2 hippos,
thanks dear and what chance encounters are pleasing you these days...
a new quilting project...sewing, baking?
must pop over.
pve

Diane said...

What a great love story and you sucked me in with those pictures of Steed and Emma Peel (I think Honor came later?). I loved The Avengers (even have the boxed set which I still watch from time to time), and Diana Rigg was my favorite! Steed was the ultimate gentleman, wasn't he?

Funny that your story involved a cigarette as mine did also -- met my husband at a party in college, both math majors, but did not know that at the time -- he tossed his cigarette out the sliding doors and it landed in my hair on the balcony! Next thing you knew I was going to watch him play in a rugby game, and the rest is history! I am so glad he gave up smoking years ago before we had children (as I hope did Mr. PVE!) Ah, memories...

The Snowdrop Project said...

A beautiful love story with a happy ending.
Who could ask for anything more!
Hope you both have a lovely day,
Lizx

pve design said...

Diane,
Thanks for finding my error...I meant to type Steed and Peel. Honor did come later. I need to get the boxed set. I just love how they interact.

My husband did quit smoking "cold turkey" prior to our starting a family which was a very good thing. We do talk about what a horrible habit it is and how much smarter people are now about smoking.

It is great to relive the glory days of our youth and some of the silly things that we hold dear to our hearts.
pve

Formerly known as Frau said...

Love stories how couples met...great story and start to a beautiful life together.

for the love of a house said...

Well, that was fun!! I love hearing how people met. Glad you found each other! Happy Meeting anniversary!
xxjoan

Bruce Barone said...

What a beautiful story!!!

Karena said...

Dear Patricia I adore romantic stories like this! My late husband and I met on a by chance encounter; it was a whirlwind and he always put me up on a pedestal. You are welcome to play matchmaker for my next Gentleman!

Love and Hugs

Karena
2012 Artist Series

Stephanie Sabbe said...

LOVE this story! I can visualize everything. 1982! so awesome

eLIZabeth Floyd said...

How wonderful! I love hearing how a random meeting at a party influenced your entire life.

Love is wonderful, don't you think?

Liz

Reggie Darling said...

That is a divine story, and ever-so-romantic. I went to a lot of those parties here in NYC thirty years ago. I may well have been at the next table to you at Mortimer's that evening, or perhaps (more likely) holding up the bar, drinking and smoking (!) with some of my loucher friends. More please! Reggie

Lisa Mende said...

What a lovely love story! I am so apologetic that I have not responded to your sweet message! I have been sick again with pneumonia and then my son got a virus. I have done well to post my blog at midnight the past week. ugh! not fun here but i promise to respond tomorrow...

MJH Design Arts said...

Hi Patricia, Your story makes me happy all over. And with photos of Diana Rigg!!! My heroine. Just about 10 years prior to your story, I met my husband when I was living in a 5 flight walk up on East 63rd and 1st. I had escaped to New York after college in search of adventure and the big city. (The area was not the design mecca of today). Thanks so much for sharing your love. xoxo
Mary

Lisa Mende said...

What a lovely love story! I am so apologetic that I have not responded to your sweet message! I have been sick again with pneumonia and then my son got a virus. I have done well to post my blog at midnight the past week. ugh! not fun here but i promise to respond in a few...

BRASWELL said...

Adore this story of your meeting in the Big Apple. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

home before dark said...

Lovely, romantic and wonderful! I met my husband 38 years ago when I decided to go to the party my former boyfriend was hosting to celebrate the end of the second year of law school. My husband didn't want to come to the party because he was leaving for England the next day. But after numerous calls, he came. He's tall and lanky. Then had hair that made him look like a cross between Garfunkel and Groucho. He was shyb, but had a lovely voice and a great sense of humor. He'd been an English major as I had been. He quoted Shakespeare. I was a goner.

A most happy celebration of love and faith. Wishing you many, many happy years together.

Kwana said...

Your story is so very perfect New York. I love it!

pve design said...

Funny, how each of us have stories of how we fell hard and fast for our mates. I think there is a window or opportunity. My Father-in-law always told me that it is only open for a time and the law of attraction plays a huge role.
pve

Holly Gruszka said...

Your story of how you met is captivating - I can picture it all as well. Isn't it funny how we remember every detail of those important moments? My first time meeting my husband wasn't too glamorous either but I certainly remember every little thing about it. We started dating soon after that evening.

Glitterista said...

What a fabulous story! Thanks so much for sharing. :)