“I Found One Love”
It all began on New Year’s Eve 1970. My friend’s best friend, John, was dating Mary Jude. Mary Jude’s best friend & college roommate was Jane. John & Mary Jude arranged a blind, dinner-date for their friends, Paul & Jane, on New Year’s Eve.
When my friend, Paul, saw Jane sitting at the table, clearly, she was the most beautiful woman in the room. My friend can’t recall anything about that dinner date, except that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Jane.
Jane was reluctant to ever see Paul again. She was dating a guy who happened to be out of town. And there were plenty of other Stud Muffins willing to take that guy’s place. Paul’s relentless pursuit captured Jane’s heart.
Eventually, Jane’s reluctance became tolerance, then affection until she was dating Paul exclusively. Perhaps, Paul’s driving Jane to Chicago in his Mercedes Benz 280 SL, 2 seat convertible to see a play at the Schubert Theatre, with dinner & dancing at the Palmer House’s Mezzanine Ballroom, to a 9-piece band. And then returning to Paul’s 6th floor, professionally furnished apartment, overlooking Lake Michigan, with a Baby Grand Piano in the corner, might have enhanced their relationship.
Jane’ affection was increasing without limit, until Aug. 1971, when she moved to Ponte Vedra, FL (Jane’s favorite place on earth). Jane and Mary Jude accepted an offer to teach school in Jacksonville, FL. The separation of 1,200 miles was No Deterrent to my friend. He flew down to see Jane once a month, on weekends.
Paul needed Jane’s love. He hungered for her touch. Paul prayed, “For God to speed her love to me.” “I need your love. Are you still mine?'” Jane replied, “Oh, My Love. My Darling. I’ll be coming home. Wait for me.”
He would follow-up his visits with daily phone calls and weekly letters, which included Shakespearean sonnets. He had to separate himself from the herd of hard-body, beach boys, swirling around Jane. My friend reminded Jane “To Save the Last Dance” for him.
During those monthly visits and weekly phone calls & letters, Jane “Saved the Last Dance” for my friend.
When his apartment lease expired, my friend bought a 2-story, 3-bedroom, brick home, with a natural fireplace, plaster walls, and a finished downstairs “Rec Room”, without consulting Jane. He sent Jane pictures & room descriptions. Jane’s Uncle Bob & Aunt Joan, along with Mary Jude, told Jane that this guy is serious, or crazy.
Jane returned home in December for Christmas. My friend offered to take Jane from the airport to her parent’s home, an hour out of town.When he saw Jane exit the airplane ramp, Paul had a major out of-body experience.He was oblivious to everything. He heard sounds, not words.
A “Pretty Woman” will do that to a man:
When they were walking in the concourse to the baggage area, my friend felt a ring-box in his pocket. (He got it after work that day). My friend had planned a wonderful engagement proposal for the Sunday before Christmas, at the Les Cargot restaurant, where they first met. Jane loved their Sunday Brunch, Eggs Benedict. The morning sunlight would be glistening atop the Lake Michigan waves. You could gaze beyond the horizon and dream, dreams.
When brunch was nearly over, my friend would stand up to his then, 6’ 3 “- 205 lbs. frame, and kneel down on one knee next to Jane’s chair. When presenting her with an exquisite, dazzling ring, he would say, “Jane, would you give me the best Christmas gift now, and for the rest of my life, by marrying me?” If Jane said, “Yes”, they would kiss, to a roomful of brunch patron’s applause.
(Paul would softly sing that song into Jane’s ear when they danced.)
That romantic scene evaporated at the airport. Instead, he shoved his hand with the ring-box in front of Jane, and said, “Here”. The next thing he knew, is that they were sitting in Jane’s parent’s living room, with Jane showing them the sparkling ring on her finger, saying, “We’re engaged”.
Paul could not help falling in Love with Jane – wanting to give her his Whole Life, too.
On May 6th 1972, they vowed, “To love each other for the rest of their lives.”
The Above Music Video Expresses this Blog Post’s Message about: Paul & Jane’s Love
Post Script
Unknown to Jane, my friend made 3 additional, silent vows on their wedding day:
- He vowed to find a place where she’d be safe, where nothing & no one could harm her.
- He vowed to make her life breathe easier, because she chose him.
- He prayed for God to hold her in the palm of God’s hand.
But Time changes everything. During the inevitable: “For better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness or in health”, one thing remained the same: Jane Loved Paul. Jane’s heart & soul were even more spectacular than her physical beauty.
So, my friend’s toast at their 45th Wedding Anniversary was: “In this lonely world, I found One Love. I have always loved you, Jane. And always will. Happy Anniversary.” (Kiss)
Paul & Jane just celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary…and counting.
This is the Paul that I know. It is a beautiful story told with such love for Jane. What a lucky lady she is.