In 1959 my parents fell in love the night they met, in a bar called Cafe Bohemia in Greenwich Village and on the very same night my father proposed. It's too good a love story not to share.
Beautiful love story. It reminded me of the story of how my parents met which is also a charm that probably should be written down for our family's posterity.
I found the story brought vivid associations to me of a music video by Justin Timberlake to his song Mirrors. It is dedicated to his grandparents, William and Sadie, and their love story. Reading about Norman and Freda I experienced a lot of parallels in two different ways of story telling. 😊
Great. Some details you might take note of - there is a book in the video which I interpret to represent the story of their love and relationship and also implies the young man is a writer .... could represent a collection of his letters? Also the Swarovski ring instead of a traditional diamond could very well hint at the couple’s modest beginnings and financial struggle suggesting the couple’s love and commitment is prioritized over material wealth. I would love to get feedback and hear if the music video moves you in any way.
Here I am back again with time to read the full essay: Not only a love story about your parents--and how you had and saved the love letters, but also your tenderness toward the elderly lady eating the avocado sandwich. xx ~Mary with thanks that we have connected. I'm also going to send you a private message with something I'd rather not share publicly.
I'm late to your post, but loved reading about Freda and Norman, their origin story and their early years--wonderful! Love that you took your mom back to Julius' and that you returned there for Pride. My parents met around the same time yours did, though not in nearly so interesting a way: they met at a frat party at the University of Missouri. My dad had gone to the party with someone else, but left the party with my mom....
Oh, Amy. What a heartwarming and uplifting love story. I am in love with Freda and Norman's committed and courageous love. What a contrast from today's dating scene. Meeting and falling in love, staying in touch, committing to marriage and staying married. My own parents met and fell in love in New York (Queens or the Bronx, I have to ask my siblings), at first moving us kids to Far Rockaway and finally further out to Bay Shore, Long Island. Thank you for sharing the letters, the love and the music. Happy Wedding Anniversary to Freda and Norman in heaven. <3
I am so glad you enjoyed the story as much as I enjoyed sharing it. I agree that it's a contrast to the way we date today and I am nostalgic for those days; in my ideal world, someone who knows me very well and loves me will match me with the perfect person; I want to be fixed up without the help of a dating app. How fun that your parents met in New York too. I will convey those anniversary messages.....
Thank you Rita; it was indeed such a treasure to come across them after her death. My father never got to write his memoir; I think he’d be tickled and proud that I am sharing this story for posterity.
Oh Amy, Freda & Norman's love story is one for the ages! I love that you were able to read your father's letters to your mother, what a treasure and gift to have that deeper insight!🩷
I'm also imagining the potential pressure in your life of perhaps feelings or thoughts of having to have some incredible love story yourself. I'm hugging Amy throughout her ages. 🙏
With lots of love, I'm imagining Freda & Norman having a most delicious picnic and then dancing the night away at Julius'🌈
I love your vision for my parents’ dance at Julius. You are also perceptive in picking up on the longing that sharing their story stirred up in me. There are things to say about that, perhaps in a future post. Thank you for being such a faithful reader, dear Kristin.
A perfectly romantic love story told in a perfectly romantic way, complete with photos of NYC, your parents' favorite music and a part of the love letter written by your dad to Freda. I'm glad to have visited Julia's with you on that first pilgrimage following Freda's departure from the earth. So much of your parents' youth were wrapped up in the big cultural transformations of their time. It's a special privilege to be able to retrace their footsteps and relive their personal history with the help of these love letters.
Lovely story about your parents. It's always a beautiful feeling to be in the same/similar location they had been at in the past. I am recently traveling similar footsteps as yours - walking through NYC and enjoyed coming upon the Elephants all over the city. Exquisite! The city is a living, breathing, art museum. I am overjoyed at all the beautiful improvements they've done on the west side and by the Piers. Little Island is a masterpiece.
Beautiful love story. It reminded me of the story of how my parents met which is also a charm that probably should be written down for our family's posterity.
I found the story brought vivid associations to me of a music video by Justin Timberlake to his song Mirrors. It is dedicated to his grandparents, William and Sadie, and their love story. Reading about Norman and Freda I experienced a lot of parallels in two different ways of story telling. 😊
Thank you George for reading and your kind comment. I will have to check out Justin’s video about his grandparents. Sounds like my kind of love story.
Great. Some details you might take note of - there is a book in the video which I interpret to represent the story of their love and relationship and also implies the young man is a writer .... could represent a collection of his letters? Also the Swarovski ring instead of a traditional diamond could very well hint at the couple’s modest beginnings and financial struggle suggesting the couple’s love and commitment is prioritized over material wealth. I would love to get feedback and hear if the music video moves you in any way.
Here I am back again with time to read the full essay: Not only a love story about your parents--and how you had and saved the love letters, but also your tenderness toward the elderly lady eating the avocado sandwich. xx ~Mary with thanks that we have connected. I'm also going to send you a private message with something I'd rather not share publicly.
I'll be back to reread this tomorrow. The beginning caught my heart in my throat. More soon, Amy!
Such a beautiful love story to share ❤️ It felt as if you were unfolding a love treasure with all these letters!
Thank you Lise!💗
I'm late to your post, but loved reading about Freda and Norman, their origin story and their early years--wonderful! Love that you took your mom back to Julius' and that you returned there for Pride. My parents met around the same time yours did, though not in nearly so interesting a way: they met at a frat party at the University of Missouri. My dad had gone to the party with someone else, but left the party with my mom....
Thank you for reading the love story Sarah, and yes, I can well see a frat party romance blossoming. I had a few of those myself😀
Oh, Amy. What a heartwarming and uplifting love story. I am in love with Freda and Norman's committed and courageous love. What a contrast from today's dating scene. Meeting and falling in love, staying in touch, committing to marriage and staying married. My own parents met and fell in love in New York (Queens or the Bronx, I have to ask my siblings), at first moving us kids to Far Rockaway and finally further out to Bay Shore, Long Island. Thank you for sharing the letters, the love and the music. Happy Wedding Anniversary to Freda and Norman in heaven. <3
Hmm. Any Substack matchmakers out there?
Exactly! Now THAT would be a Substack I’d subscribe to😀
My first instinct was to respond with me too, but I'll tweak it to 'as would I'.😊
😆
I am so glad you enjoyed the story as much as I enjoyed sharing it. I agree that it's a contrast to the way we date today and I am nostalgic for those days; in my ideal world, someone who knows me very well and loves me will match me with the perfect person; I want to be fixed up without the help of a dating app. How fun that your parents met in New York too. I will convey those anniversary messages.....
She was indeed that person. Hoe beautiful!
Thanks, Alecia. Appreciate it!
I love this, Amy. How wonderful to have those letters!
Thank you Rita; it was indeed such a treasure to come across them after her death. My father never got to write his memoir; I think he’d be tickled and proud that I am sharing this story for posterity.
What a wonderful story and you tell it so beautifully.
Thank you Sallie. Like you I am inspired above all to share these stories for our children & future generations😀
Oh Amy, Freda & Norman's love story is one for the ages! I love that you were able to read your father's letters to your mother, what a treasure and gift to have that deeper insight!🩷
I'm also imagining the potential pressure in your life of perhaps feelings or thoughts of having to have some incredible love story yourself. I'm hugging Amy throughout her ages. 🙏
With lots of love, I'm imagining Freda & Norman having a most delicious picnic and then dancing the night away at Julius'🌈
I love your vision for my parents’ dance at Julius. You are also perceptive in picking up on the longing that sharing their story stirred up in me. There are things to say about that, perhaps in a future post. Thank you for being such a faithful reader, dear Kristin.
Always. ♡
A perfectly romantic love story told in a perfectly romantic way, complete with photos of NYC, your parents' favorite music and a part of the love letter written by your dad to Freda. I'm glad to have visited Julia's with you on that first pilgrimage following Freda's departure from the earth. So much of your parents' youth were wrapped up in the big cultural transformations of their time. It's a special privilege to be able to retrace their footsteps and relive their personal history with the help of these love letters.
Thank you for this kind comment, Louisa! I am so happy you were with us in late May to visit Julius. It meant so much to share that with you💗
Lovely story about your parents. It's always a beautiful feeling to be in the same/similar location they had been at in the past. I am recently traveling similar footsteps as yours - walking through NYC and enjoyed coming upon the Elephants all over the city. Exquisite! The city is a living, breathing, art museum. I am overjoyed at all the beautiful improvements they've done on the west side and by the Piers. Little Island is a masterpiece.
So glad you came across the elephant installation as well. It’s so wonderful as are New York City’s many delights.
Wow. Wonderful voice and storytelling, Amy!
Thank you, Constellations! The comment on voice warms my heart, given our shared focus on that over at Writing in the Dark.
You’re welcome. ☺️ I feel the same. WITD is a gift.