What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?

What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?
Remember: "When God closes a door, He always opens a window!" You never know what might be out there waiting for you!

Saturday, February 8, 2020

"Getting to Know You"


Someone posted a link to this song "Getting to Know You" (from The King and I) on Facebook last night, and it sure brought back some sweet memories for me.




A little over 51 years ago I met my hubby at the community college where we were both attending. I was a new freshman, and he was finishing up his second year there when we met. We were introduced by a mutual friend, who quickly disappeared, leaving us to converse and get acquainted. As our somewhat funny, enlightening and very interesting  conversation progressed, we discovered many things that we both enjoyed, music being one of them. This led to a walk to the music building on campus, where we somehow (? details escape me as how that happened) discovered a copy of the music for this song, "Getting to Know You", and we both proceeded to sing it together!  At the time I don't think I thought about the fact that this song was from a hit musical movie, "The King and I", and that "Anna" was singing it to the children in her care.  It just seemed like an appropriate song for two young people who were just getting to know each other to sing to each other...and one thing led to another...and before the day was over I had accepted a date with this tall, dark, handsome young man...and now some 51 years later I am sitting here, with that same tall, dark, handsome "mature" man sitting in the next room while I write...
     
Here are some pictures from the college yearbook at that time: John, working really hard!                                                                        
                           ⤋                                       ➷
"Finals means burning midnight oil for John"

That's me, busily working in art class........
                                                                       
              Me, during "Rat Week" ,                 the ritual all new freshmen have to endure as initiation to college

and then if you read below, within about four months from our first date this happened:

                                                                                            ⤋


I wrote more about this last year at this time HERE, and my intentions at the time last year were to post more stories leading up to our wedding, which on last August 16th (2019) we celebrated our Golden Wedding Anniversary!  Well, my good intentions were quickly put aside as we were in the process of trying to sell our house this time last year, and my scrapbook was packed away and things just got really busy, and I wasn't able to continue this saga.  Perhaps I will try again this year...I may have more time in the near future to reminisce a bit, and now I know where the scrapbook is (I found the box in the guest room closet when cleaning for company)...so I will try to continue the story a little at a time at appropriate moments. Valentine's Day is coming up next week, along with my hubby's birthday, so that got me to thinking about this, especially after my friend posted that song on Facebook last night!  I wish I could have recorded us singing that to each other 51 years ago. I don't know that we would sound quite the same today...but then again...maybe we should try!

So, as you get closer to Valentine's Day, does this bring up some happy memories for you? Or is there a "special song" that makes you think of your beloved? Would love to hear your stories!

Getting to Know You
It's a very ancient saying
But a true and honest thought
That if you become a teacher
By your pupils you'll be taught
As a teacher I've been learning
You'll forgive me if I boast
And I've now become an expert
On the subject I like most

Getting to know you
Getting to know you
Getting to know all about you
Getting to like you
Getting to hope you like me
Getting to know you
Putting it my way
But nicely
You are precisely
My cup of tea

Getting to know you
Getting to know all about you
Getting to like you
Getting to hope you like me
Getting to know you
Putting it my way
But nicely
You are precisely
My cup of tea

Getting to know you
Getting to feel free and easy
When I am with you
Getting to know what to say
Haven't you noticed
Suddenly I'm bright and breezy?
Because of all the beautiful and new
Things I'm learning about you
Day by day

Songwriters: Oscar Ii Hammerstein / Richard Rodgers
Getting to Know You lyrics © Concord Music Publishing LLC

29 comments:

  1. …and thank you, I am now humming the song ((grin)).

    What a lovely story, Pamela. Neither of you have changed, and I seriously mean that. Hey, I can fully understand about the burning of the midnight oil...and it will be over with soon, smiles.

    Thank you for the many smiles, Pamela.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Isn't that a happy little tune to be humming? I've been whistling it as I go about my day... Yes, I am sure you do know about "burning the midnight oil" Praying that those days will soon be over for you and you will have the diploma to prove it and celebrate. Thank you for thinking we haven't changed in 50 years...either you are blind or I need to post some more recent closeups. LOL. But thank you. you are so sweet. Smiles...

      Delete
  2. What a beautiful story. So romantic. 4 months, God knew exactly what He was doing. I have always loved that song, now it will be added by a special occasion ☺️

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Carol. Is this my Carol here at my church? You are so sweet, and yes, God DID know exactly what He was doing...and He didn't waste any time either! LOL.

      Delete
  3. Great story and wonderful pictures. I forgot that your and I share the same anniversary date-8/16. We are just coming up to our 45th year (re-marriages for both of us)..this one worked. lol

    Glad you found your scrapbooks. Have a great weekend- xo Diana

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wow! 45 years is great! So glad this one worked for you both!! We will have to sing happy Anniversary to each other on August 16th. Yes, I am glad to find my scrapbook too. Glad I actually made one!! It is falling apart, but who wouldn't be after 51 years???? LOL. Have a blessed weekend dear friend.

      Delete
  4. It is interesting to read about your past and how you met. Unfortunately Valentine's day is one I just want to make through. Since my husband went home to glory, these days are just a little painful. God is good and I do have a good life.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am so very sorry, Ruth. I can only imagine how difficult this time is for you, and my heart goes out to you. I know you must miss your wonderful husband so much. May the Lord be very near and dear to you during this time, surrounding you with His love and sweet comfort. (((hugs))) and blessings to you today dear friend.

      Delete
  5. Precious, precious post, Pamela! Those photos of John and you in college are extra special, beautiful memories for the both of you. Our song is "When Love Takes You In" by Steven Curtis Chapman. It was performed at our wedding in 2005.
    Blessings, my friend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What a wonderful song to have sung at your wedding. You two are practically newlyweds! Thank you for visiting. You are on my heart and mind. Praying that you are having a blessed day as only the Lord knows how to bless you in the best way. (((hugs)))

      Delete
  6. This is so sweet! I am really struck by how all you young college "kids" look like ladies and gentlemen. People were so dignified then.

    Ok, but, what was Rat Week?? 😂

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha Ha...so dignified...lol. We were more mature than most college kids are today I must admit. I thought I was a wise old woman when I got married at almost 19. I look at kids that age today and think how on earth...? Rat week...that was the freshman initiation week at school They made us wear beanies on our heads and we had to carry books for upperclassmen, do some silly relay games, all kinds of fun things for the first week of school. It was all fun and pretty tame compared to what people do now.

      Delete
  7. I like the song and I like the movie "The King and I". I also very much enjoyed hearing about your first meeting and whirlwind romance before engagement. It sounds like you two really hit it off from your very first day. I think I too would love it someone sang to me or with me on our first meeting :-) Happy belated Golden Anniversary. ♥

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Joyful! Yes, we did hit it off quite quickly. He also sang to me on our first date...I think it was Hank Williams' "Melt your cold cold heart". LOL. Funny...but he had a wonderful voice and my heart melted. LOL. And we've been singing together ever since. Not professionally, unless you consider singing in church professionally...but for the joy of singing for the Lord. We don't sing so much anymore, (except in the choir)...but when I hear something like this song again, I want to sing!! Have a blessed day.

      Delete
  8. Love this song, and I just adored this post, Pam, I also love to read of true life romances with everlasting love, and yours sound so sweet, kind of like my dh and I's love story except we met when I was 13 yrs. old..
    Sorry I have been around this week, I have been so busy looking after our farm, since son left earlier this week, I sure miss him in more ways than one.
    Have a blessed weekend.
    BTW I think you both should sing this song and share.
    Sue

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Sue. We have been blessed and God has been very kind to us. Oh my, you and your dh met when you were 13? Childhood sweethearts? Or did that come much later? I know you must be very busy now, and we certainly understand you don't have as much time to write. But pace yourself and don't wear yourself out. Writing is such good therapy... Thank you for the suggestion we sing this song again. I am a low alto now and not as able to hit those higher notes, but I would love to give it a try!! Not sure I can talk hubby into it, however...we shall see...

      Delete
  9. That is just the best Getting To Know You story I've ever heard! We don't really have a special song, but the first song we ever danced to was the theme from "Flashdance".

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, I must look that one up. I am not familiar with it, but it sounds exciting!

      Delete
  10. Pam: It is sweet that you can sing 'your song.' Had we had a fairly big wedding at my then church, I wanted to have a friend of my mother's sing "One Heart, One Hand". But, as it worked out we didn't have a 'big' wedding. That's all right, we are heading for 52 years as man and wife. I was almost 16 and he was 17 when we met. He joioned the Navy and I didn't want to be 'tied down.' That next school year was my junior year in high school. Four years or so later, our phone rang and it was him, telling him who he was and asking,'Do you remember me?' We dated for a bit over two years before we got married. We had some ups and downs during part of that time. But I love him and he loves me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, it is wonderful that you finally got together and that it has lasted all these years. We have all had our "ups and downs", I can assure you. But the important thing is we persevered through them and kept pressing ahead. God is so good.

      Delete
  11. I enjoyed reading the story of your meeting and then engagement.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Linda. It was SO long ago, but yet it doesn't seem like it now. I pray you are having a good day and that your church family will be there for you today. Thinking of you especially during this next week. God bless you dear friend.

      Delete
  12. Replies
    1. Thank you, Annie. It seems like it was long, long ago in a land faraway. Who were those two young people? And yet, in many ways we still feel so much the same as we did then and we find it hard to believe that over 50 years have passed already. Wow!

      Delete
  13. What a delightful post...I love romantic stories!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Mary. I guess it was romantic. A lot of it was just fun too. We were so young we really didn't know the difference. I can't believe it has been over 51 years already! Time sure does fly!

      Delete
  14. WHAT A FUN POST, Pam!!!!! Love the old photos and memories that come with them! What a romantic story you have, singing the song together. That's so sweet!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Barbara...I am still surprised that we did that on the first day we met! I now think about how God was preparing us for a future of many songs sung together and a life of many new songs as we journeyed along...day by day...

      Delete
  15. What a sweet, sweet story. Took me back to when I was that age... sigh.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for visiting here today. I would love for you to sign my guestbook and let me know you stopped by. I always enjoy reading your comments and words of encouragement! May you be blessed as you go on your way. Please come back and visit again soon.