Jon was 21 years young and Marilyn was 18 years old going on 30 years. They had been dating for almost a year on weekends every chance they could find. Marilyn was going to graduate in a few months while Jon was working hard to save enough money to support them. They both knew that they would eventually tie the knot, but time and distance were a big factor.  It was rare for young men in 1971 to actually ask the girlfriends parents each time if he were allowed to take their daughter to a drive in movie, but Jon didn't mind, he just did it to win Marilyn's heart.  Marilyn would cringe from embarrassment, but her parents' loved it. They even had him show them the precise movie that he was going to take Marilyn to, as well as the time they would be leaving and would be coming back. Time was a big factor!  Ten minutes late and the two of them had to talk through he screened door.

One particular evening Marilyn had to baby sit and she had already gotten permission to have Jon take her and stay with her for the four to five hours she would be there. Everyone liked Jon and was taken by his good manners and respect for Marilyn, so the couple that Marilyn was going to baby sit for had no problem with letting Jon stay with Marilyn.

Marilyn got the little tot ready for bed, gave her a snack and read her a story....finally she was asleep. Now Marilyn had the next few hours to talk to Jon.  Jon started out by asking some unusual questions while they sat on the sofa together. 

"Do you think that you would work if we got married?" 

"Well, that depends Jon." 

"How many children do you plan on having?"

"Hhmmmmmm!   Let me see!  Actually I was planning on 21 children." Marilyn stated calmly

Jon's eyes widened and he started to cough..."Uhhh. wha...Uh hum! Really?"

"Well I thought I could have ten children of my own and adopt eleven....you know like the

little old lady in the shoe?  Why how many did you want?"

"I thought one would be enough, considering the economy!"

"Oh! Well we will have to see. Besides that is a long way off to be thinking about that."

Jon slowly got up from the sofa and knelt down on his right knee. He then gently caressed Marilyn's tiny right hand in both of his large hands. Clearing his throat he was about to speak...

"Yes?"

"You can at least let me clear my throat!"                                                                                                  

Marilyn giggled softly so as not to embarrass him. Then Jon continued after he cleared his throat a few more times.

"You've known for a long time how I've felt about you. We are great together and I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

Marilyn knew what he meant, but she just had to ask..."You mean marry you?"

"Uh...yes! Would you? I would be so very honored. You can take your time about answering me since I just popped this on you."   There was silence for a few minutes.

Marilyn looked at her watch then looked at Jon, "I don't know how long it will take me to decide...this is a heavy thing to consider."    She was looking at her watch again and at the same time she watched Jon squirm on his right knee.  "Well..."

"And?"

"Just a minute ..." She looked at her watch, five minutes had passed and he was in agony waiting. She continued to look at her watch, and then stare out the window, and played with her hair....

"I just don't know Jon.....you only want one child, I might want to work and I just need some time to think."

Jon was getting a bit nervous now. He bent his curly dark head and sighed. Marilyn was laughing inside because she never saw him so intense and nervous about anything.

"Well Jon, you know ....I really don't..."  The rest of the words never came out as she saw the expression of fear grow upon is face.  Telling herself that she didn’t' want him to have a heart attack if he had to wait another ten minutes Marilyn decide to be truth full.........

"YES"

"What?"

"Yes, I'll marry you. I knew that ten minutes ago...in fact a year ago!"

Tears of joy streamed down Jons face, then as he stood up he helped Marilyn get up off the sofa. "I thought you were going to keep me waiting forever!" He hugged her and then slowly bent his large frame down to meet her petite size and kissed her hard to seal the proposal.