May 1969-I wish I knew all of the details. It’s funny all of the questions that come to your mind after you lose the people you could ask.
What I do know is that my Dad was in the Navy and home on leave. My mom had just graduated from high school and was going to a party to celebrate.
Their paths crossed and mine began.
After a few letters and phone calls, my Mom got on a plane and married my Dad August 31, 1969.
They were married in Lakewood, California.
My grandparents had a friend they sent to the airport to stop the wedding.
I saw her 30 years later and heard her version of the story.
She said she took one look at my Dad standing there in his uniform and said to herself, “there’ll be no stopping this wedding”.
“Your Daddy was sharp.”
They were married at her house in her backyard.
So in a strange twist of fate, Aunt Nell went from stopping a wedding to hosting one.
When I came along three years later, I was named after her.
She is the reason I am Cheryl Suzette.
Fast forward over a half a century.
This year, I have lived a decade without Mom and seven years without Daddy.
I was really excited to see San Diego and Long Beach, California.
I called my Uncle Terry to ask him about my parents and found out that my Aunt Pat married him while he was in the Navy in Seattle, Washington.
Apparently, Uncle Terry and Aunt Pat were the trendsetters.
Maybe it’s seeing those ships on the water.
Maybe it’s feeling the breeze in the air.
But it was nice to wake up yesterday and know that I was where 2 young kids got an apartment and honeymooned for a couple of months.
I wish I knew more details.
What I do know is this-
I am thankful to be the Museum of John L. and Jackie.
I would like to tell you that this is about 54 year old Cheryl.
But the truth is, it’s about her…
All my love,
Cheryl Suzette
cherylsuzette 