THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, February 7, 2020 Page 5 Valentine Memories By Virginia Ruane I love Valentine’s Day! It brings back so many wonderful memories. One of my favorite memories happened many years ago. I would say it was about 1948. Yes, that’s a long, long time ago. It was an era when not many families had a car. If your father had a car, you were rich or very lucky. We were not rich, but my father did have a car, so I guess we were lucky. It is not like today when there are three or four cars in a driveway: one for Mom, one for Dad and one for each child. In those days, fathers were the only ones who had a license and a car. In my family, not only did my father have a license to drive, but I had gotten my license at age 16 and I did not have a car. He didn’t trust me with his car, so as a result, I never drove my father’s car. One Valentine’s Day, many years ago, my husband-to-be and I were invited to a Valentine’s Day party on the other side of Malden. He also had a license, but no car, nor did his mother or father have a car. So, I got a bright idea. Wouldn’t it be a great if we took my father’s car? I would drive to Frank’s house, and then he would do the driving from there. I took a chance and asked my father. It’s a good thing that my father liked my future husband, because he did say yes. It had to be a day or night that my father was not using the car. Good fortune for us, that on this particular Valentine’s Day, he was not using the car. For our future dating, we made sure the car was available. Welcome Lash Expert Now at MEGA HAIR ELITE In this day and age that would never happen. Even after we got married, it was a year before we could buy a car. I received a $1,000 check from a former employer who owed that money to me. Guess what we did with the money? We purchased our first “new, used car” and we felt like millionaires. We had made it… we were car owners! Life is full of good surprises, and Valentine’s Day was one for me many years ago. Maybe it will be for you, too! It may not be a “new, used car” or, in my case, my father letting me use the car, but I hope that it is something special, just for you. Remember, what happens on this Valentine’s Day will be your future memories. I am a grandmother and I love to be remembered on Valentine’s Day. If you have a grandmother or grandfather, don’t forget them on this special day. They were once young, too, just like you are now and just like I once was, and Valentine’s Day was just as special for them as it was for me. It brings back a memory for them of all their hopes and dreams and lets them know that they are not forgotten. A Happy Valentine’s Day to All! Virginia Ruane is a lifelong Malden resident. Please send comments and suggestions to virginiaruane@aol.com. Join Us For Friday, Feb. 14, 2020 Bring your sweetheart, your friends, and your appetite to Jack’s Ristorante for that extra special day of memories. YOU WILL LOVE JACK’S MENU! Make your reservations early 781-388-0005 655 Eastern Ave., Malden Jacksinmalden.com Happy Valentine’s Day to all!
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