At the end of this post you’ll find links to the other blogs featured in this challenge. Check them all out, see what words they were given and how they used them.
My words are:
hold off ~ particular ~ learning ~ incredible ~ object ~ unable
They were submitted by: the lovely and talented Karen@ Baking in a Tornado
Pattern Stories #4
Photo Property of Butterick Pattern Service, 1972
Pattern Stories #4
Photo Property of Butterick Pattern Service, 1972
"I knew I loved Jeanie the first time I laid eyes on her. She was working behind a Woolworth's soda fountain, serving at least 12 people at once without missing a beat. I remember the shop being packed, because everyone was celebrating our school's basketball championship win. I would love to say I was part of the celebration, but I'm unable to. It simply wasn't true. I was instead alone, trying to hide in a corner.
While everyone was adorned in our school's colors, I was dressed head-to-toe in a ridiculous denim outfit. My mother, who sewed for a living, begged me to wear the clothing she made for a sewing expo that had come to our town. She was learning all kinds of new embroidery patterns and wanted to try them out; all at once. I felt ridiculous. I was trying to hold-off from being seen by hiding behind a plastic menu. That's when I first felt Jeanie's hand on my shoulder. I'm not sure if she wanted to laugh at me for the way I looked among the room of "cool-kids", but she didn't. She simply smiled. It was the most incredible smile I'd ever seen.
I'd come to see her everyday after that; wearing my normal clothes, of course. I'd constantly order food so she wouldn't get into trouble. We'd talk about everything and nothing in particular on her breaks. She'd smile at me like I was the only one in the place. One night as she was getting off of work, she had asked me if I'd wait for her. I recall that it seemed like she was in the back for a really long time. Just as I was about to see if she was okay, Jeanie emerged from the room wearing a long raincoat and her infamous smile.
Now, I know what today's kids would think was under that raincoat. My mind never went there. Still, when she unbuttoned it and revealed what was underneath, I couldn't believe it. My Jeanie stood there, an object of perfection, wearing a matching denim outfit to the one I was wearing when we first met. I can't tell you the laugh we had over it. And, yes. I call her "My Jeanie" because that's what she was from that day forward.
If I close my eyes now and stay very still, I can smell the sweet honeysuckle from her golden hair. The scent always hung in the air each time she'd move. I still try to take it all in; the sight of her, the smell... The way she'd hold her small hands over her mouth if she thought she was laughing too hard. I never tire thinking about her...about us."
-Jeff Gunderson, CEO of Embroidery Empires, speaking about his wife of 40 years.
Love- even when you look silly doing it, friends. :)
-MicheleWhile everyone was adorned in our school's colors, I was dressed head-to-toe in a ridiculous denim outfit. My mother, who sewed for a living, begged me to wear the clothing she made for a sewing expo that had come to our town. She was learning all kinds of new embroidery patterns and wanted to try them out; all at once. I felt ridiculous. I was trying to hold-off from being seen by hiding behind a plastic menu. That's when I first felt Jeanie's hand on my shoulder. I'm not sure if she wanted to laugh at me for the way I looked among the room of "cool-kids", but she didn't. She simply smiled. It was the most incredible smile I'd ever seen.
I'd come to see her everyday after that; wearing my normal clothes, of course. I'd constantly order food so she wouldn't get into trouble. We'd talk about everything and nothing in particular on her breaks. She'd smile at me like I was the only one in the place. One night as she was getting off of work, she had asked me if I'd wait for her. I recall that it seemed like she was in the back for a really long time. Just as I was about to see if she was okay, Jeanie emerged from the room wearing a long raincoat and her infamous smile.
Now, I know what today's kids would think was under that raincoat. My mind never went there. Still, when she unbuttoned it and revealed what was underneath, I couldn't believe it. My Jeanie stood there, an object of perfection, wearing a matching denim outfit to the one I was wearing when we first met. I can't tell you the laugh we had over it. And, yes. I call her "My Jeanie" because that's what she was from that day forward.
If I close my eyes now and stay very still, I can smell the sweet honeysuckle from her golden hair. The scent always hung in the air each time she'd move. I still try to take it all in; the sight of her, the smell... The way she'd hold her small hands over her mouth if she thought she was laughing too hard. I never tire thinking about her...about us."
-Jeff Gunderson, CEO of Embroidery Empires, speaking about his wife of 40 years.
Love- even when you look silly doing it, friends. :)
Check out all the cool kids participating this week:
Cute story. Sounds awfully romantic in a very silly, humiliating sort of way.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Michelle. Humiliating and silly are good building blocks for love, right?
DeleteI love your Pattern Stories. They always make me smile.
ReplyDeleteThanks Karen. That pattern is priceless. Thanks also for the words.
DeleteOH WOW...sniffles...what a beautiful romance...hope their wedding wasn't all denim! LOL
ReplyDeleteKaren, denim was probably a given throughout their lives. Embroidered denim. LOL
DeleteTalk about suspense - I was on the edge of my seat while I read what Jeanie had on under that raincoat. Glad to hear those two denim lovers found each other. I can't wait to see some of the searches people do to lead them to this blog post. Another entertaining pattern story - keep up the great work!
ReplyDeleteLove, M
Lame. You know this is our love story...I will dig out that embroidered shirt for all to see. The searches are worth a blog post of their own. Keep up the stories? But I only have a few thousand patterns...
DeleteAaawww, what a sweet story! Proof of what they say… There is a right lid for every pot!
ReplyDeleteI'm curious: what would today's kids think was under that raincoat? (As a middle-aged person surely I can't guess)
Love that saying, Tamara: a pot for every lid.
DeleteI have no idea what would be under that raincoat. I believe I'm older than you and had a reveal of head-to-toe denim. Hey, you can't wear that in a bouncy house!
aww that is precious and my mom used to make me those suits!
ReplyDeleteThe patterns for the embroidery are really cool. Denim on denim is a little much, but I bet you rocked the suits your mom made. Now, I need a pic. <3
DeleteThis month's stories are so romantic -- there is love in the air! Beautifully told and great word pictures as well. Felt the love!
ReplyDeleteThey WERE romantic, weren't they? Thanks for reading/commenting, Carol. It means a lot.
DeleteIsn't that all anybody really needs? Someone to fit the part of that perfect denim duo? It's every girl's dream. <3 I always loved hearing this bedtime story from you. It made me hopeful that one day I might find someone to appreciate a well-embroidered coat. ;)
ReplyDeleteLove you, Mrs. Nicholas Sparks. ;)
-A
Denim duo. Doesn't that just scream your dad and I? I hope you pass those stories down to your little ones. May I suggest the names Gene and Levi???
Delete<3 Mamacello Sparks
Yes, love is meant to be silly and cheesy and sweet. The most romantic story I have read today. I sure love a good romance.
ReplyDeleteI love a good romance too, Ann. I'm always so glad to see your name in the comment section. Thanks for reading <3
DeleteOh my FF! I seriously believe you should have been a romance writer! Now a question about one of your earliest works. Would all of the crayons fell in love if your coauthor hadn't helped with the story line?
ReplyDeleteGene and Levi! I just about choked on coffee! :)
You just made my day. Ah, the memories of Mama Magenta and Papa Purple...
DeleteThe crayons would have had a soap opera life, for sure ;)
Oh I loved this Michele, this was so sweet!
ReplyDeleteObviously their sweet beginning was a great foundation for their long lasting love :-)
Thank you, Jenn. The foundation of denim is too strong for any one to break. <3
DeleteAbsolutely brilliant!! I <3 your pattern stories SO MUCH!!!! HILARIOUS!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Stacy! I sure hope you're feeling better <3
DeleteThese pattern stories are so awesome, Michele!
ReplyDeleteNothing wrong with a little Canadian tuxedo between friends and lovers, right?
Dang it, I should have named him "Dan"!
DeleteYour comment rocks, you Super Trooper! Eh?
I absolutely love this post. Excellent use of your words! Loved it. You really drew such a vivid pic in my mind. I actually wanted more. Great job.
ReplyDelete