How I Met My Husband

Stock Image

During World War II, my sister and I volunteered at the USO. I sang with the band, and my sister and I danced with the boys.

We met many nice soldiers and sailors but not one seemed to “hit the spot” until one evening when a handsome sailor named Ralph asked me to dance. He looked like Charlton Heston.

I had already made plans the night before to meet with another sailor this evening. He was to take me home. I was in an awkward spot, as I knew I wanted the new handsome man to take me home instead of the other sailor.

I stewed all evening wondering what I was going to do, and how I could tell the boy I was going home with someone else. Of course Ralph hadn’t asked me yet but I was sure he would.

Sure enough, he did ask me. So I had nothing to do but tell the other guy that I was going home with another sailor. That was the last I saw of him but that was ok with me.

When I got home that night, I woke my mother up all excited. I told her that I had met the man I was going to marry.

She bolted up out of her bed and said, “What?” I repeated my remark and regaled her with the story.

Ralph and I dated on Saturday nights for several weeks. One Saturday night we were sitting in my living room, when Ralph got down on one knee and asked me to marry him.

My answer was, “I thought you were never going to ask me!” It had only been five weeks since we met.

Ralph and I were married on March 3, 1946. The rest is history.

Helen Hampton is a member of the writing class offered through the Cerritos College Adult Education Program. It is held off-campus at the Norwalk Senior Center.