This is a photo of my Mom and Dad in early June of 1945. They are walking along a busy street in Edmonton. 
They met at a dance, where he walked her home. The next day, she invited him for dinner at her parents' house (she was only 17). That was a Sunday evening, and later that night, he shipped out for England.
They never wrote or communicated in any way in the two years he was gone.
He returned to Canada, and instead of staying on the train to his home in Vancouver, he got off in Calgary and caught the train North to Edmonton. He walked from the train station to her house, and invited her for a stroll downtown. As they did, a street photographer took their picture - the one you see here - and my Dad agreed to buy it from him.
What you don't see is the ring in his pocket. He is about an hour away from asking her to marry him.
She will say "yes".
What a great story and a great picture. Makes you want to hear more. I can only see the side of you dad's head, but godallmighty your mother is gorgeous! Did they write during the two years? Did she know he was coming back? I MUST KNOW!!
Posted by: wordgirl | June 13, 2006 at 03:53 PM
Wow. What a perfect picture.
Posted by: Ginny | June 13, 2006 at 04:11 PM
That's awesome. He knew. I love it.
Posted by: Megan | June 13, 2006 at 04:47 PM
That's a really fabulous story and an even more fabulous story! I couldn't help but notice a ring on your mom's left hand though.
Posted by: Dima | June 13, 2006 at 06:18 PM
That's definitely a photo that deserves to be enlarged on your site. Your mom was just gorgeous!
and you know I love old stories like this one. ;)
Posted by: Laura | June 13, 2006 at 07:05 PM
Suspense, drama, romance! What a story. What a perfectly fantastic, wonderful way to start my evening. Thank you.
Posted by: Sarah | June 13, 2006 at 07:06 PM
That's AWESOME.
Posted by: ToadyJoe | June 13, 2006 at 07:15 PM
um.
WOW.
my head is just spinning - that would never happen nowadays, and if it did? The couple would be divorced in a year.
um, WOW.
this just really makes me smile. (and yes, your mom is gorgeous!)
Posted by: whfropera | June 13, 2006 at 07:32 PM
That is one of the greatest love stories ever---and the fact that you have the photo makes it even better.
Posted by: marit | June 13, 2006 at 07:53 PM
Sometimes, so I've heard, when you know, you just "know".
The story sent chills up my spine - and I am no chick flick chick!
Your mom was so beautiful I think I would also have asked her to marry me.
Posted by: sheryl | June 13, 2006 at 08:28 PM
That moment frozen in time is amazing. I love the old photos because so many of them seem to show life and movement in those little squares with the white lacy edge.
I imagine you had to remove the triangle-shaped black picture holders from the photo as I have to believe this photo lived in a beloved album. Am I right?
Posted by: marybishop | June 13, 2006 at 08:34 PM
I noticed her ring, too. Was she already engaged? But not to her true love and so she totally broke that guy's heart so she could marry your dad?
Sorry - I'm totally anticipating the story. I can't help myself.
At any rate...WOW.
Posted by: kalki | June 13, 2006 at 08:47 PM
The ring on her finger in the picture is a "friendship band", bought for her by her sister. At the time, it was used (at least where they lived) to fend off potential suitors by indicating you were waiting for someone. It's part of the story. Be patient.
Posted by: Nils | June 13, 2006 at 10:20 PM
You just don't see photo's like this any more. A classic indeed.
Posted by: Jim Fogg | June 14, 2006 at 12:04 AM
That is a GREAT start. I love the picture.
waiting...waiting....
Posted by: Tanya | June 14, 2006 at 12:17 AM
Bugger....you made me cry! Happy tears, though. How lovely and inspiring! Thanks for that!
Posted by: Shawnte | June 14, 2006 at 12:05 PM
So sweet.
Posted by: Squirl | June 14, 2006 at 08:30 PM
OMG, I love the plot. Please tell me this is being simultaneously written as a screenplay! (Your parents even *look* like movie stars in this photo. I eagerly await the next installment. :-)
Posted by: Ortizzle | July 19, 2006 at 10:04 AM
Your momma is frickin' gorgeous.
(*rushes off to start reading*)
Posted by: cat | August 03, 2006 at 12:36 AM
I love the photo and so as the story...
Posted by: Jonna Lee | February 14, 2007 at 08:40 PM
Never leave that until tomorrow, which you can do today.
Posted by: cheap jordans | November 04, 2010 at 12:05 AM
My heart was touch with your story.
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"Mind Blowing!!,really fascinating...no.. words to express..Your narration.. ,title.. added beauty to the picture. Eagerly waiting for the sequel.Thanks allot dear."
Posted by: קוסמטיקאית | March 06, 2011 at 06:47 PM
Hi!What a mesmerizing story! your use of language is virtuoso.That photo is Fascinating one.Really heart touching one.Thanks for sharing.
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...the beginning was perfect...descriptive and flowig like a river ...in between you style changed again to your usual styxle...and once again i give you the advice to read it a second time cos you change the narrators point of view
Posted by: קוסמטיקאית | May 11, 2011 at 01:51 AM