(Ruth Lundy and Robert Palmer, left)

Our story began clear back in Melba, Idaho and Portland, Oregon where we were born. I say that because I think there are some people who are destined to find each other.

The fact that both of our lives were intertwined with our church (The Friends Church) was an indication that we would eventually meet. Because his preacher in Melba moved from there to being our preacher in Portland. Therefore, the preacher’s kids knew their family and it was almost a given that they would visit our church in SE Portland even though they lived in NE Portland.

The day they visited our church was an ordinary summer night. And Kathleen, the preacher’s daughter ,was there from college also. She had a friend visiting with her. The friend came to me to ask me if I knew the Palmers. When she told me that Kathleen had told her about them I thought (Oh, no! Kathleen is up to her old tricks of telling girls she was going to set them up with someone)

I went to Kathleen to ask about the Palmer boys (Clarence to whom I took an instant dislike and his brother Bob to whom I took an instant liking.) She gave me her usual “stay out of my territory” look, and I paid no attention. I just put Bob on my list.

Since Bob was enrolled in Cascade College, I think, I made it a priority to sign up there too and immediately made my move. Sounds like a predatory female? I was just looking for the right guy !

One day a bunch of us got together and went out to a party. Everyone but Bob and I were already matched up with a partner. Needless to say, we took advantage of the situation and sort of ‘matched’ ourselves.

After the party Clarence and his date, Jeanne, decided to walk up to Washington Park in downtown Portland. This is where the zoo is and the lion’s growls and roars can be heard at night and we thought it would be neat to go there to listen.. We took the city bus to downtown and began to walk the park. It was a long way. Longer than I thought, but we were in no hurry.

That is, until we realized that the last bus from town to the school was about to leave. Clarence and Jeanne were dragging their heels because Clarence was playing games with Jeanne’s head. He would not talk to her at all. And when we asked him why he just said he wanted to see what she would do !! What a date--what a guy. I knew I didn’t like him.

At any rate, we made it back to the college but not before the dorm doors were locked for the night. And since Bob had already had a warning there was no way we were about to raise anyone to let us in. So he tried to push me up to the fire escape to climb in the window. Ha Ha Ha. Little did he know that he was dating a dyed-in-the-wool wimp. I couldn’t even lift myself that far, so we turned and tried to think of something else to do.

We considered trying for the downtown Gaiety Theatre. But it was on 3^rd avenue--the hang-out of bums, etc. We considered the park. That was close. So off we went and spent the night walking around Peninsula park in North Portland. The rose beds were in bloom and it was beautiful. Portland had a run of beautiful weather, but needless to say, we nearly froze because I am also the world’s coldest toad. Thank heaven we had on winter coats. Until 5 O’clock in the morning gives you a long time to talk and Bob was good at keeping me warm.

At five o’clock, chef Gammage got up to cook breakfast for the students and so I walked in the back door, through the kitchen and up to my room. My roomies didn’t say a word, just tried to warm me up after our long ordeal.

The next day a group of us--same kids--decided to go horseback riding. Okay I was up for anything. So sleep was forgotten and away we went. Bob and I opted for a nap in the grass with a blanket for comfort instead of a ride.

Next day at school I was accosted by Sally, who thought she had a corner on the time Bob spent with other girls. So when she asked me, point blank, what I was doing out with Bob, I just said that I was not going to interfere with her boyfriend. (Of course I had my fingers crossed).

I guess the rest is history. We became officially engaged in February and were married in July. The shortest engagement in history and the longest marriage to date in our family. Sixty years.