One Cinco de Mayo years ago, in Tempe, Arizona, my mom was dating a dashing radio deejay named Jon. She was sure he was going to break up with her when he asked her to go out for dinner and drinks that night. She was really nervous. So nervous she spilled her wine all over the table. Turns out, quite the opposite was happening! Jon actually asked Marilyn to marry him, and she said yes!
Jon has been my bonus dad for 49 years now (gasp!) and is the reason I got into radio. He was a deejay on the radio in Phoenix back in the 60s, playing the oldies when they were new. He went by the name of Johnny Wallace, had slicked back hair and looked pretty cool. By the time my mom and I got onto the scene he had moved more into the 70s leisure suits and big collars. He was still a big deal on the radio. She was an up-and-coming opera singer with a four-year-old daughter who was a little precocious. They tell me that I kept trying to introduce him to other young ladies when the three of us were out--I must not have been sold on the deal.
This photo is us at their wedding. Note his happenin' white suit! Mom called me yesterday to make sure I knew that it was Cinco de Mayo, and that I remembered that it was "their day." They said they were going to go out and celebrate at Chuy's. Mom said they were going to take a nap first. They are still married. They still make each other laugh. I have stopped introducing him to other women...after 49 years, I think this one is going to stick. Happy engagement anniversary, Mom and Dad.