Welcome to the Money or Love Share Your Love Story Contest!
From August 12th through September 4th I will be posting entrees to the contest on this blog, in both video and written formats.
On September 5th, I will select three stories from all submissions as winners of signed copies of Money or Love .
Those three will then be posted across social media where people can vote for their favorite.
On September 12th the votes will be tallied and the #1 vote getter will will win a $100 gift certificate to Ristorante Lombardo, a Buffalo, NY landmark Italian Restaurant that plays a significant role in Money or Love.
(If the winner is from outside the Buffalo, NY area, a gift certificate from the restaurtant of their choice will be awarded.)
Thanks to every person who takes the time to share their love story in this contest. You are an inspiration to all of us looking for love ….at any age.
Money or Love Tell Me Your Story Contest Entree #2
Author: Molly McLaughlin
My husband Fran and I met at the Poor House Bar in Hamburg, NY in December of 1974.
I was home for the weekend from nursing school. It was 8pm on a Friday. A friend we had nicknamed, “Dancing Jerry” was there. He and I danced and talked for a bit. A guy with long black hair, and an easy smile came to our table. Jerry introduced him to me as Fran. The three of us chatted, Jerry and I danced, and Fran hung around.
Eventually Jerry went off to talk to others. Fran stayed at the table and bought me drinks. I continued to dance with other friends, and each time I went back to the table, Fran was still there. People I knew would stop by, visit, and wander off, but Fran stayed. Throughout the evening we talked about all sorts of things, and even danced a couple of slow dances. He asked me to go to a movie with him the next night. I said yes and gave him my phone number.
Around 10 pm, my sister Susie came into the bar and found us at the table. She immediately said hi to Fran.
Fran got this dumbfounded expression on his face as he kept looking at the two of us. Finally, he asked my last name. I told him it was Burns. He shook his head and said “sisters”. We smiled. He commented “I didn’t know there was anyone younger in your family than Susie.” I laughed and told him that we had a younger brother too.
Before leaving that night, Fran and I confirmed our date for the next night and he told me he knew where we lived.
Later I asked Susie about Fran, since she obviously knew him. She gave me some info and said, “Be careful. He breaks girl’s hearts.” I told her, “We’re just going to a movie.”
The next day my phone rang. Answering it, I heard a man’s voice say, “Hi. This is Fran.”. I said , “Who?’” He said, “The guy who was buying you drinks last night.” My immediate response was, “So, you’re responsible for my head today!” He laughed and said “Nope. You drank them!”
That night the movie we’d planned to see was sold out. So, we went to a restaurant for dessert and talked for hours.
Three years later I graduated from Nursing school in early June and Fran and I were married on June 11th Today, our family numbers two sons and four grandchildren and the life Fran and I share is just as wonderful as we dreamed 47 years ago