The 2nd Floor Hall of the Main Building

The 2nd Floor Hall of the Main Building

The first time I saw my husband, he was walking toward me in the 2nd floor hall of the main building at Encinal High. His long hair moved slightly as he walked in his platform shoes and bell bottom pants. I thought he was so fine! He was looking right at me because we were the only people in the hallway; everyone else was in class where they were supposed to be. The closer he got, the faster heart began to beat. I couldn’t believe this foxy guy actually went my high school.

I came from Washington School where I went to school with the same ugly, mean boys for four years! I thought this foxy guy looked older, but had a genuinely kind smile so I wasn’t afraid. I remember looking back as he passed by, gasping, and thinking that I’m gonna love high school!

I rushed back to class and began my quest to find out his name which I did and his address too. I saw him right at the beginning of the year, so for most of 9th grade, I was on a mission. I became a stalker. His house wasn’t too far from my house ~ about 6 very, very long blocks, so I walked passed his house almost every day just hoping for the chance to talk to him and hopefully kiss him.

I wasn’t shy, so I talked to him whenever I saw him. I ran up to him at the logs and asked him to sign my year book as if he were celebrity. He flattered me by writing, “Joe Manibusan loves Jacky Sweeney”. That did it, I was in love, and the stalking intensified.

I convinced my friends to do a lot of things that I laugh about now. We passed by two corner stores, just so we could go to the store by is house. The stalking eventually paid off because one day I saw him in front of his house and he sang a song to me. He hypnotized me with “I Bet You By Golly Wow”. I was sprung! I also convinced my friends to wear dresses and nylons go to church with me on Easter Sunday just so I could hear him sing again.

We were at Franklin Park one night, and I invited him to climb a tree with me and it was there that my wish came true – we kissed! I was just 16 the day I was sitting on a little red, brick wall wearing a halter top and daisy duke jean shorts. As I looked up at him, he told me that I was going to make someone a good wife some day. After celebrating our 19th wedding anniversary, we joke now that what he actually meant was that I was going to make him a good wife someday.

Joe graduated, married, and went into the military, so it was almost 10 years later that we hooked up.