I met Jon at work. He worked as an Industrial Engineer in Operations and I was a Labor Relations Representative at the time. We worked in the same building, but those two positions would have rarely crossed paths. There was a guy named Pete Nolan who was trying to fix him up with Chalmers Ward, who actually was a good friend of mine, and ended up being the godmother of our children. But, then a Maintenance Manager named Wayne Gray asked Jon to connect with me for a grievance that our BCTWIU, Local 203-T had filed. The production employees wanted tool carts furnished by the company, since we provided them to our IAMAW, Lodge 10 maintenance employees. Jon researched how many tool carts would be needed and the cost to agree to the union demands. I do not remember the outcome of the grievance, but Jon said when he heard my name that it resonated with him, and that somehow I would become significant to him, no matter how old I was or what I looked like.

Jon brought the needed information to me, and kept returning and calling me to ask if I had additional questions for him. A friend of mine said he must be interested in me. I was clueless and did not see the signs. We looked him up and found out he was married. I used that as evidence to suggest I was right. But it turned out Jon was separated and clearly getting divorced, so he was in fact interested in me.

We spoke and found out that he was going to Akron to visit his brother Bob for Christmas. I could hardly believe it. I had graduated from Akron University and had decided to not go home due to the drive. Also, his brother had a boat in Vermillion which was not far from my parent’s house. It seemed we had been destined to meet before. Jon had almost taken a co-op in Elyria, Ohio but ended up in Columbus instead. So he had made his way to Ohio before we met. He insisted I drive to Akron with him. I said “no.” There was no way I was driving 8+ hours with a stranger. Jon did not give up. He invited me to his house for a New Year’s Eve party he was hosting. I already had a date, and said “no.” He said then let’s go out on Dec 30th instead. I agreed.

Our first date was to Yen Ching restaurant on Midlothian turnpike. I remember Jon bringing me a single rose. I remember having sesame chicken and Jon had sesame beef. I remember the waiter bringing us Plum wine. They clearly knew Jon. We talked freely and it was easy to chat with Jon. I remember Jon bringing me home, and giving me a quick kiss on the cheek before departing. I remember Jon later telling me that his best friend Doug Lints asked him how the date went with me. He said “it went well, but it is not like I am going to marry her or anything.” His friend was very protective of Jon, and did not want him to get hurt after the separation and pending divorce with Laura.

After that date, Jon continued to pursue me. I was going through a difficult time, and welcomed his advice and caring nature. He was into journaling with the help of his brother Stan and on a self-help quest. He shared this with me, and I too started doing the same thing. Whereas Jon wrote down his thoughts, it was rather an ongoing conversation with him for me. I told Jon I was not interested him in “that way,” but wanted to be friends. I knew he never gave up for something more, and at times it was a struggle to keep him in the friend zone. But then one day, I woke up and saw him in a totally different way. We went to see the band Secrets play at a bar downtown. On the way home, I took his hand and the rest is history. Jon liked to call it the rubber-band effect. He had been pulling for so long, that when I finally gave in, I shot way past where he was at the time. Suddenly I was the one smitten and he was asking me to slow down. So our first date was Dec 30, 1987 and by May 1988, we were in love. We got engaged May 1989 and married on April 7, 1990.

Every year, to celebrate that first date, we returned to Yen Ching on Dec 30. I remember it so well because it is my brother Ken’s birthday. Since Jon died, I return each year with my children to celebrate Jon and the date that brought us together as a family! The Yen Ching on Midlothian Turnpike near Chippenham South has become rundown now, and I am not sure it is even still open for business. But there are two other locations that we have frequented such as the one near Genito and Hull Street and also one on Broad Street. While the restaurant is different, the food tastes the same. I think Jon would be smiling to know I continue this tradition every year, as he did with me.