30 Valentines Days Together - by Patty Mooney

Mark and I would like to wish everyone a fantastic Valentines Day. Today is the 30th anniversary of the day we met, so it is a very special day for us. In honor of this beautiful day, I will share an excerpt from my memoirs about how Mark and I met.......

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On Valentines Day 1982, I stood on La Paloma’s theater balcony overlooking the empty seats before a play called ‘Pandora,' by Jack Barnard, was to begin. This play would be performed once only to raise funds for the World Hunger Project. The curtain would rise in twenty minutes. I’d better head to the dressing room. As I turned, my eyes caught those of a blonde man who was setting up a video camera. He grinned, the widest, most sparkly-eyed smile I’d ever seen. We moved towards each other, and shook hands in greeting.

“Hi, I’m Patty,” I told him.

“I’m Mark,” he replied. “Are you in the play?”

“Yes. One of the singers.”

“Are you nervous?”

“Yes, butterflies in my stomach. I hope I remember the words to all the songs!”

“You will if you want to.”

“I want to very badly! So you’re videotaping the event?”

“That’s right.”

“I can’t wait to see it.”

The theater lights went off and on again.

“Well, I’ve got to go get ready,” I said. “I’ll come and chat during intermission.”

“That’d be nice. I’ll see you.” Mark pointed at his camera and winked.

By the time the curtain lifted, I was happily poised on a scaffold with eleven other robed singers. And the play began.

When the curtain descended for intermission, the audience applauded lavishly. I hurried back to the balcony where Mark was changing videotapes.

He looked happy to see me. “You did great,” he beamed.

“Well, thanks! How’s it going on the video? I bet your shoulders are sore.”

“You’re right about that.”

“Let me.” I moved behind him and massaged his neck and shoulders. As a masseuse, I knew that most people loved to be touched. Massage had also become a great communicating tool for me. “Does this hurt? Relax.”

He was putty by the time I finished. “Thanks!” he sighed.

“You’re welcome. Massaging another is like massaging myself, so I feel more relaxed now, too!”

“I’d be willing to relax you anytime!” he said, winking.

I smiled. “Are you coming to the cast party?”

“Unfortunately I made another commitment. My mom is having a get-together. She’s gone all out, making heart-shaped hamburgers and pink milk. I’d like to come, though.”

“Oh, it would have been fun. I’ve enjoyed talking to you. Well, I guess I’d better get backstage.” I almost walked away, but something magnetic about him caused me to turn and say, “Have you got a business card?”

“Yes, I do, right here.” He searched his vest pocket for one and handed it to me.

“Look, it’s the same shade of blue as mine!” I reached under my robe into my pocket, slid out a card and gave it to Mark.

“Yes” he said, “and look at the logos. Yours is a nautilus; mine’s a pyramid. Both symbolize the same idea: an infinite movement in, toward self-awareness.”

I noticed a crystal pyramid on a silver chain around his neck and reached to inspect it. “Isn’t this the same pyramid on your business card?”

“The idea for my logo did come from this crystal, yes.”

“Very interesting. You believe it contains magic?”

He smiled. “As much magic as I give it.”

The theater lights dimmed, signaling that intermission was over and “Pandora’s Box” must resume.

“I’d like to talk more about that sometime. See you later!” I said, squeezing his arm.

“Patty?”

“Yes, Mark?”

“Happy Valentine’s Day!”

“Happy Valentine’s Day yourself!”

Patty and Mark are still living "happily ever after, 30 years later.....