It all started witha look, but doesn’t it always? This is a true story about a man who fell in love with a woman anddid everything to be with her. Her name was Kathy, she was young, skinny, funny and overall a great catch. His name was Jack, he was older, handsome and what some would call the life of the party. She worked at a big production company during the day and bar tended at night. He worked at the Milwaukee Railroad and owned a bar called “Jack in the Box.”
One night while she was bar tending, he came in for a drink. He took one look at her and wanted to know more andwanted to be with her. He asked to buy her a drink and she politely took one. They started talking and at the end of the night, he asked her out. She said no. But, that didn’t stop him from trying again. Another night, he went into her bar while she was walking out. He said, “Leaving so soon?” She replied “I have had way too much to drink, I need to go home…” He wouldnt take that for an answer, he said “So come back in andhave one more with me.” She still said no and went on her way, he was disappointed. But, he still didn’t give up. He asked her out one more time andto his surprise she said yes. They had planned to meet when he was done with work at a bar for a few drinks and then out to dinner. But, boy did it turn out different….
She got out of work early anddecided to have a few drinks with friends before hand. When it came the time to meet up with him, she said it was time to go and meet up. She went to the bar andwaited for almost an hour before she realized she was at the wrong bar. She tried calling him, but he wanted nothing to do with her. He felt she stood him up, and itdidn’t help that she forgot the name of the bar because she had been drinking a bit with her friends…. But, they decided to give it another go on a different night. This time she did not drink before hand. They dated for about 6-8 months before he asked her to get married, she said yes. But, saying yes to him meant saying yes to 3 other children for he was married before. But, when she said yes, she was in it for the long haul and so was he. He already had his heart broken once and didn’t want that to happen again. So, they married on August 2, 1980. They had their first child October 3, 1981. They named him Jacob Daniel the 2nd. They had their second child on August 14th1982 (i know only 10 months apart, don’t remind me). They named him Joseph Daniel. At this point in time, they had a total of 5 children and still owned the bar. But, that didn’t stop them from having 2 more kids, one on April 3, 1984 named Jeremy David and one on August 24, 1985 named Kristi Marie (My birthday is coming up people, I love diamonds and the color pink…moving on). Shortly after they had their children, they decided to sell the bar in 1987. They moved to a duplex in Milwaukee. Shortly after, they moved to a place in the country in 1990, and still reside their.
They had their ups and downs like any other marriage, but always made it through. They went through theirshare of issues with the kids… detentions, sports, suspensions, school dances, sleepovers, fighting, graduations, college, even marriage for 2 of them and children for 1 of them (out of the four children that is). The family was growing andmoving on with their lives and they were finally alone to do whatever they wanted. They planned a cruise to Alaska for their 25th wedding anniversary. They were so excited for this trip, because it was theirtrip. And, it marked a very important time for them, love still going strong after 25 years….
But, a few weeks before their Anniversary and trip, they got some devastating news. Jack had cancer. He has two options, to take care of it right of way and miss their trip, or put it on hold and enjoy the trip they planned. They decided to take the trip because it is what they always wanted. He started on treatments after they returned from the trip. It was a long hard battle. He fought hard. He also lived his life to the fullest at that time. They went to Florida and Tennessee. He went deep sea fishing and went to Canada one last time. We had a surprise 60th b-day party for him where he got to see all of his friends and catch up on drinking…. He got to see another grandchild be born. They named this child Jacob Daniel the 3rd. He saw his son graduate from college. He also got to be there for his other sons wedding. He also got to see his youngest daughter graduate from college, and he got to tell her how proud of her he was at her graduation party on August 11, 2007. And, he got to have one last anniversary with his wife on August 2, 2007.
He passed on September 7, 2007 with his whole family there by his side every step of the way. Today, they have been married 28 years. My mom says she will always be married to him and will always go visit him on this day for it is a very special day for the two of them.
Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad. I love you both.
