This is the story of how my parents met…
They met at college, during which they kept catching each other’s eye during some sort of lecture or meeting. My mom lingered afterwards, “looking” at a bulletin board while really waiting for him to exit the room. After they had exchanged numbers, my dad called later that week to ask out my mom. My mom’s best friend (now my godmother) answered the phone, and my dad asked for “Sylvia.” Now, because my mom’s last name was Silva and her first name ends in “-ia,” this had happened once or twice before with teachers – not the best first impression though. My godmother, laughing hysterically, handed over the phone to my mother, whose name is clearly not Sylvia.To make things even better, on their first date my dad’s little orange VW Bug ran out of gas and they had to literally coast into a gas station to fill up, pushing the car the last couple of feet.
25 years later, they are still married! 09-03-08
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
that’s…. nice. And it belongs here why? Mistaking a name is not an etiquette faux pas. My name is Jaci (sounds like Jaycee) and everybody says Jackie. Clearly, if Maci, and Laci and Staci aren’t Mackie, Lackie and Stackie, than I am certainly not Jackie, but it’s not a breach of etiquette to call me the wrong name. Or, God FORBID, write J.C., or Jacee, etc…. seriously?
I work with a Jaci, and she does pronounce it Jackie!
Not every story on this website is about mistakes – sometimes she includes stories of how being polite/having good etiquette saves the day.
In this case, the mom’s best friend was gracious and understood that the caller meant her friend, and the mom didn’t hold that or the fact that his car ran out of gas against him (and I’m sure he was embarrassed about both things!)….and now they’re happily married for over 25 years!
@Jaci…..wow!!! Grow up!!!
That’s a great story! May not-Sylvia and your dad have many more happy years together.
And if I ever have a daughter, I think I’ll name her Stackie!