"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