Imagine moving to a place you can't find on a map, can't pronounce, and don't expect will change your life forever.
Gaylene finished nursing school in 1954. After graduating from school, Gaylene and her friend moved to Kapuskasing, where they had both been hired as nurses at Sensenbrenner Hospital. Gaylene said it was the highest-paying job available when they moved there. A friend of Gaylene's decided to set Gaylene up on a blind date with a man named Jack, who also lived in Kapuskasing. At only thirty years of age, Jack already had lots of white hair. He stood five feet eight inches tall and wore glasses. I think Gaylene would have been nervous but excited to meet someone new.
Their first date fell on Halloween night, and both Gaylene and Jack were dressed in costumes. Gaylene was introduced to Jack's aunt, uncle, and friends. They went out several times after that. On their dates, they would go to the movies, play cards, and enjoy other games. Gaylene and Jack got along very well, and Gaylene thought he was a very kind man. Over time, she learned a lot about him. He always had a joke to tell, loved animals, liked fishing, and enjoyed camping trips. Gaylene started to fall in love with Jack.
Around Christmas, Jack and Gaylene were driving to Mae and Eddie's house for dinner. Mae and Eddie were good friends of both Jack and Gaylene. At this time, Gaylene and Jack had been together for three months. What Gaylene didn't know was that Jack had told Mae and Eddie that he planned to propose when they arrived at the house.
When the couple arrived at Mae and Eddie's house, Gaylene and Jack walked up to the porch, and Jack got down on one knee. He pulled a gold ring out of his pocket. It had a clear solitaire diamond, with two little hearts and diamond chips on either side. He looked up and asked, "Will you marry me?" Gaylene happily said, "Yes!" When she walked inside Mae and Eddie's house, their friends congratulated the happy couple. The four friends had a lovely Christmas Day.
Jack and Gaylene were married on October 8, 1955. They got along very well and were very much in love. During their forty-two years of marriage, they had several children. Sadly, Jack died of lung cancer at the age of sixty-four.
I wonder whether Gaylene and Jack could have known that a blind date would lead to children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. I'm glad the date went well because it resulted in five great-grandchildren—one of them being ME!