A Union Out of a Reunion

The short story is Dennis Hayes is engaged to Gail (Skinner) Hodge.  They are to be married on December 13, 2014 (12-13-14), so cool.  End of short story.  For ADHD people that’s all you need to know, see photo below.  But the story of how it all came together is a joy, and something to be shared.

Most of us remember Dennis in high school as Mr. Congeniality.  I’ve never heard anyone say a disparaging word about him, Mr. Nice Guy.  He married his high school sweetheart, Leslie Lagen, and lived the dream.  But along the way, Leslie was diagnosed with Lupus.  In April of 2011, Leslie lost her battle with the disease.

Losing a spouse for any reason, divorce or death, is traumatic.  I can’t imagine losing someone with whom you have spent your adult life journey.  And if you’ve ever lived with a family member who has experienced a debilitating disease, it drains you.  Speaking from experience, there’s no regrets, no anger, just sorrow, exhaustion, a sense of loss, and a feeling where do I go and what do I do now.

During the reunions with which I have been involved, I have always been guided by two principles; it’s important to patronize classmates’ businesses; it is important to have a gathering where the beer-drinkers can gather and be comfortable, and another where the wine-drinkers can gather likewise (I am both).  Both evenings are fun, but different.

Fast forward to Friday, September 13, 2013.  So on the Friday beer-drinkers evening at (Milt) Eichmann’s Bar and Family Restaurant in Sageville, just north of Dubuque, Dennis shows up and we catch up; he’s thinking of moving to Colorado to be close to his children.

Saturday Dennis was debating whether or not to go to Nan (Fuerste) Smith’s Stone Cliff wine tasting room for the wine-drinker evening.  He finally decides he has nothing else to do, so he attends.  (Side note, me who never gets sick or misses a reunion, I’ve got a 103.5 temperature in a motel room.  Yuk.)  Nan takes over as mistress of ceremonies and organizes a photo opportunity.  See below.

  

Shifting gears, Marla (Skinner) Cruise and her twin sister Marsha (Corken, Class of 1969) are playing matchmaker with their younger sister Gail who was recently divorced.  Marla spies a photo of the reunion posted by Pam (Breiner) Schumacher posted on Facebook.  She spots Dennis and remembers he is now single.  Mr. Congeniality is available.

I’m not certain what happens after Marla sees the photo, but fast forward to New Year’s Eve.  Dennis and Gail are sitting atop the world, literally, at the former Sears Tower in Chicago (see photo above).  Later that evening Dennis pops the question to Gail at the Drake Hotel and the answer was …

“YES!”

The wedding date is December 13, 2014 (12-13-14, get it?).  I’ve been in contact lately, and I can tell he is happier than I have seen him in as long as I can remember.  God rewards the faithful, those who comfort through the pain and suffering of those near and dear to us.  Maybe we should have a mini-meet and run the bill for the reception up.  He wouldn’t mind.  In the mean time you can congratulate Dennis (he hasn’t joined the website yet) at Denniszone@aol.com.

Joyce (Bradfield) Kapling emailed me to thank me for my planning efforts.  I told her I ‘m not really a planner, I just provide opportunities.  And in Dennis’ case the opportunity was realized.  I am just as happy as he is; a union out of a reunion, go figure.  Sometimes it just works.