The Longest Day of the Year

I’ve been married over 42 years (yes, I was robbed from my cradle). Back in the late ’70s/early ’80s, Steve and I were dating and, though very young, were becoming serious. Like many of us did in high school, I would write Robin Goldsworthy on pads of paper to see how my new name would look. Steve lived on Abella Street in La Crescenta and had a neighbor who was a ring designer. He actually made our rings.

So I knew the time was coming when the question would be popped.

But time stretched on and no popping took place.

On the longest day of the year in June 1980, Steve and I went horseback riding in Shadow Hills with my friend Terri. Afterward, we were going to dinner at (then) Villa Cinzano (now Villa Terraza).

Back then Steve drove a ’65 Mustang that wasn’t always up to code. In other words, it would often attract the attention of local cops. Back in 1980, we were heading to Villa Cinzano when an LAPD officer eyeballed us. Before he turned on his lights, we pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant to have dinner – but the restaurant was closed! I don’t know if we got there too late or what but we ended up sitting in his car in the parking lot, staring across the street at the parked cop who seemed determined to wait us out.

Now and then Steve would ask me to marry him and I would always reply, “Show me a ring and we’ll talk.” In that parking lot, on the longest day of the year, Steve asked me to marry him. In typical fashion, I replied, “Show me a ring and we’ll talk.”

To my surprise he did pull out a ring – the ring – and we indeed started to talk.

Forty-two years later the conversation continues.

This week was the anniversary of the proposal. Villa Terraza, which has undergone several ideations over the years, is still one of our favorite restaurants. The owner is very generous in letting me share that engagement story nearly every time we eat there.

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I was talking to my son in North Carolina, telling him of the dramas taking place in town. Between the CVWD proposing a capital charge on property taxes and the craziness at the headquarters of the GUSD (see CV Weekly, June 8), he’s probably glad he’s not here anymore.

My personal opinions? The capital charge on property taxes by the CVWD affects only property owners – that ticks me off. I understand that the improvements need to be done but I’m not happy with the proposal on how to finance them.

Regarding the GUSD brouhaha, it seems to me the concern is misplaced surrounding the LGBTQ+ curriculum. The agenda item was to approve the recognition by the district of June as Pride Month, which has been done for years; there was no discussion planned regarding the curriculum. Seems those protesting are a bit premature and should fact check before buying into the scare tactics of someone who apparently has political aspirations …