Growing Stronger Together… A Love Story & Therapy Success

Richard and Erna were married on a cold and snowy day in February of 1960. Both very young in age yet, wise in their hearts. On their wedding day, colors of light pink and blue sparkled on the icy streets. The couple recalls the colorful streamers attached to the backend of their car being soggy and wet. However, even soggy streamers couldn’t spoil their special day. They lived happily ever after just outside of Brooklyn where they raised 4 children; Paul, Mike, Mary Jo, and Pamela. Erna taught at a country school and Richard worked in the sheet metal business and later with cars. But this all seems so simple so let’s back up to where the love began. As a teacher Erna was well known in the community given she taught grades first through eight. Little did Erna know that her future husband was the brother to a few of her students. Erna formed a relationship with Richard’s parents and family for quite some time before meeting Richard. See Richard was a bit older and already starting to develop into a young man in the service. When the two finally met, Richard asked Erna to dinner? Erna thought for a moment and then answered with, “No, I already ate.” Richard persisted and finally he got Erna to go on a date with him. Throughout their courtship the couple would frequent Richard’s family for dinner. Richard said his brothers would always tried sneaking peaks out of the window and get excited when they saw their teacher Erna coming to their house. One movie lead to a dinner and then another and another until Richard finally asked Erna the big question. Well, it was more of a rhetorical question, “What would you say if I asked you to marry me and have a family with me?” Erna accepted Richard’s proposal and from that moment on life fell in to place. While the couple suffered many disappointments and trials throughout their love affair, one thing remained steadfast, their desire to be with one another.