An Unconventional Easter Story

Easter is right around the corner. It falls on April 1st this year. The date changes from year to year since it is celebrated on the Sunday following the first full moon after the vernal equinox. Dave and I met on Easter Sunday, April 11th, 1982. We don't mark the 11th as our anniversary. Instead, we celebrate on Easter Sunday. This holiday reminds us of a wonderful memory, a chance encounter that changed our lives forever. It was the day our life journey together began!

Our wedding day July 4, 1987

When we met, Dave was living on our 23 foot Coronado S/V, Keewatin, at a free dock in Norfolk, VA. He had left Minnesota with his brother and two friends on a different adventure of a lifetime. The guys were headed for Little Gasparilla Island on the Gulf coast of Florida where Dave's Uncle Dan had a beach house with a dock. By the time they made it to Norfolk, VA, his brother and friends had departed, leaving Dave on his own.

John, Lou, Jay & Dave aboard Keewatin
1981 Adventure

Lou, Dave and John

Lou, John and Dave

Keewatin at Norfolk Free Dock

Dave settled in at the downtown Norfolk dock, melting into the community; eventually finding a job, which led to a lifelong, successful career in finish carpentry. While in Virginia, he learned that his Minnesota high school friend, Jeff Johnson, lived nearby. Jeff happens to be married to my college friend, Betsy who I knew from home in Connecticut. Jeff was in the Navy stationed at Norfolk. I drove to Virginia to visit the Johnsons for Easter. Dave and I were each invited to Easter Dinner. It only took a moment to know that our connection was special.

Betsy & Beth cooking in 1982

Betsy & Jeff today
Still friends who live nearby

We spent that spring communicating through long, expensive phone calls and daily snail mail before I was able to move to Virginia to join Dave on his quest for the Florida Gulf Coast. We spent late summer and fall working and saving every penny we could. On December 13th, 1982, we finally left Norfolk aboard Keewatin; her deck covered in snow! This magical journey solidified our relationship. We've been blessed to be together ever since!

Beth & Betsy aboard Keewatin on Chesapeake Bay

Beth handling sail ties

Beth at the helm

Beth & Dave at Cape Hatteras

Dave's first visit to Connecticut

Preparing to leave Norfolk, Dec. 13, 1982

Over the years, we have continued to celebrate Easter as the anniversary of our meeting. When the kids were little we would take them on adventures. One year when they were about four and five years old, we packed a picnic lunch and drove up to Taylor's Falls, a historic river town nestled into the hills of the scenic St. Croix River. We enjoyed a visit to the popular Interstate (MN/WI) Park which offers camping, hiking, swimming, kayaking, canoeing and rock climbing. After romping along the rocky paths and working up our appetites we returned to our van and pulled out the lunch we'd packed. Young David was sitting with his feet hanging out the open back doors of our van. He noticed that I'd brought the colorful Easter eggs the kids had decorated the night before. David was insistent that I let him eat one. I was sure that he wouldn't like it but gave in and watched as he carefully cracked, then peeled the shell from the egg. Fascinated by the smooth white of the egg, he slowly turned it completely around, inspecting it from every angle. Finally, he took a bite, chewed a bit, he lifted the exposed yoke up to his nose and took a long deep sniff. With wide eyes and wonder, he turned to me and said, "Mom, my Easter egg smells just like Dad!"

I stifled a giggle, smiled at my son and replied "Yes, it does!" What I was thinking was, sometimes the truth stinks!

Brielle & David on Easter Sunday

2017 Easter Eggs
Decorated aboard Mystic on our Looping Adventure