TULLY'S CORNER: MEET LILY and then JAN & LARRY BROWN by (me!) sandra kay, writeousmom
here is the unedited version of this story which published in the pleasanton patch 5/23/11.***
TULLY’S CORNER
Meet Lily and then Jan & Larry Brown
by sandra kay AKA: WriteousMom
Thursday morning was particularly gorgeous climate wise, and so without knowing who I would randomly interview, I knew on my drive over my “who” would be outside, so I could soak up some awesome sunshine.
Ah.. lovely lady with the cute dog..
I’ve mentioned this before, but Pleasanton is like the dog capital of California -I like to tell people “It’s mandatory. No dog. No live in Pleasanton..” -but of course, I don’t own one. I mostly observe them from a distance.
And in this case, a very short distance, because I invited myself write over to their table. What a cutie! Lily is her name. She is a bienheim colored Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
If you read about them, (and I’ve provided a link for your convenience), you’ll learn they come in only 4 colors: bienheim, tri, ruby and black n’ tan. Lily, it turns out, has two male siblings she shares her home with, one tri-colored and the other ruby. They were being groomed and would be picked up later. I quickly imagined Lily returning home to her brothers, and in dog speak, sayin’ something like, “well, don’t you both look handsome, but guess who got her picture in the Pleasanton Patch boys... !”
Actually, she didn’t have a sassy personality at all; very great natured.
And by the way, I’m writing this story, true to how communication takes place for dog owners here in Pleasanton -dog(s) always get introduced first; name then breed; then disposition; then a few pictures, mention of awards, cute stories from the morning walk, etc. –and owners, if they introduce themselves to each other at all; always after dog introductions, never before; and first name only, unless you ask
which I did. So since I’ve honored dog/people etiquette, by introducing you to Lily first, now I am most happy to introduce you to her proud owner: the beautiful Jan Brown from Livermore. She’s hangin’ out at Tully’s because she is a little early for a beauty treatment at Heavenly Day Spa..
But wait.. whose this?
Well, I must introduce him too then, because her husband just joined us: Larry Brown.
And now I have to -have to!- turn this story into a Tully’s Corner/How They Met hybrid, because as we all got to talkin’, and I learned their love story..
too good to pass up! Let us shift then to HOW THEY MET:
They’ve been married 31 years now, so put yourself in around, -whatever year that is when you subtract 31, from 2011 and subtract another year or two to count pre-marriage dating
late 70’s, early 80’s
Jan is divorced, with two young daughters. Larry is divorced with two young sons. Jan is working as a front office and chair side assistant for a dentist in Livermore. Dr. McFarlane. He’s retired now, but enjoyed a successful practice and had an excellent reputation -which included being known for his faith. “The Mormon Dentist” colloquially speaking.
So one day, Larry goes in for his 6 month check up. /And don’t we love him already for being so proactive. I only go when something hurts.
Anyway, Larry goes in for his well-check, which includes some routine x-rays and crosses paths with Jan before seeing Dr. McMormon…
Has his appointment. Schedules his next one (because he’s that kind of guy), and goes home with a nice, clean, healthy smile.
But meanwhile! Back in the office, turns out Dr McFarlane~McMormon is also, like, Dr. McMatch-Maker
He realizes his divorced male patient with two young sons -that just left- would be a perfect match for his divorced female assistant with two young daughters, so he masterminds a way to get Larry back in the office, and runs his idea past Jan
Next thing you know, Larry is getting a very important, life changing phone call that went something like this:
“Hi Larry, this is Jan from Dr. McMarlane’s office… I’m afraid your x-rays didn’t turn out and we’ll need you to come back for some retakes..”
Larry being the responsible proactive man he is, takes the bait hook, floss and sinker.
I’m projecting here for sure, but I’m guessing on the day of Larry’s return, Jan dressed up just a little bit, accessorized, put on a little extra lipstick, maybe; leaned in a little closer when she shoved those yucky cardboard/film things in his mouth
No matter.. it worked! When Jan left the room to look at the fake x-rays, (which, “we didn’t charge for” she is very careful to point out), Dr Mc Match-Maker enters the room to talk in more detail with Larry. Told him how wonderful Jan was.. how he thought they would be great together. He gave Larry Jan’s telephone number and the appointment was over shortly after that.
We need more dentist like this, don’t we.
So Larry, he describes himself as a “drinkin’ smokin’” man at the time, and he thinks because Dr McFarlane is Mormon, so is Jan, and why would she want anything to do with him, but calls her anyway. He was on the tail end of a luke-warm long distant relationship anyway, and so why not, write…
Jan was not Mormon, she described herself as just a seeker at the time, and Larry had been raised Catholic, but was not practicing, as they say
Those are a few of the things they learned about each other on their first date at the Livermore Station, which was an old train station converted into a restaurant.
They did fall in love, blended their families, her two girls, 5 and 7 years old; his two boys, 11 and 13 years old at the time, and have been married, now, as I mentioned, 31 years.
That’s beautiful all by itself, but made even more so, when I learned that in 1999, both Jan and Larry were invited by friends to the non-denominational, Calvery Chapel of Livermore.
Together, they re-dedicated their lives to the Lord, and were both baptized, and have been members ever since.
“That’s the reason we are still together,” Jan said, “God is our glue.”
***
and delighted to share that jan & larry, brought their daughter jill to ruby hill winery the next day.. wonderful visit! /and they were of course included in ruby hill's facebook~guestbook
"thank you!" -you are the best! i love your story!
love, ~sandra
posted by SHE @ 8:36 AM
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