Old-world romance was a family affair

She first noticed him across a crowded room--a room filled with relatives and friends celebrating a family birthday party.

He was a tall, lanky young man with thick wavy black hair. His Roman profile reminded her of screen star John Barrymore. Impressed, she thought, "He's the cat's pajamas."

For the young man, the attraction wasn't so immediate. He was too busy clowning around with his six brothers in the corner of the room. Eventually, though, he did notice her, standing alone by the doorway. She had a slender figure and was dressed in a skirt that revealed her dainty ankles and part of her calves. Her hair was bowed and cascaded around her pretty face. Impressed, he thought, "She's the cat's meow."

But both propriety and shyness prevented them from easily approaching one another. No, it would have to be arranged through the proper channels. The family grapevine would have to be notified that the young pair was "interested."
On the pretense of borrowing a jar of medicated salve, the young man's mother, Maria Curci-Dinapoli, paid a visit to the girl's mother, Isolina Rizzolo.

The following day, in return for the salve, the young man was sent to the young girl's house with a crate full of fresh vegetables from his family's Almaden ranch.
The young man spent a few minutes visiting with the girl's parents, bid her a quick hello on his arrival and a short good-bye when he left.

Thus, Mom and Dad's Old World romance had begun.
Within days, Mom was told by her best friend, Connie Rizzio, who was also Dad's cousin, that Dad wanted Mom to join him for a well-chaperoned ride to Alum Rock Park.

Dad pulled up to Mom's house in a fancy Ford coupe. Impressed, Mom squeezed into a rumble seat crowded with a gang of friends, and off they went for a day at the popular park.

The following week, Dad bravely presented himself at Mom's house with a box of candy and an invitation to see a movie. Mom readily accepted both offerings, anticipating the first time they'd actually spend some time alone together.
But then Mom's kid sister Ann insisted on tagging along. After 20 minutes of little sister's nagging and whining, finally all three of them took off for the movie house together.

Later that week, on a Sunday afternoon, Mom's doorbell rang unexpectedly. When her Mama answered the door, she was surprised to find Dad standing there surrounded by his entire family, who appeared to be offering him moral support.
Somewhat bewildered by their visit, Grandma invited her callers into the living room. No sooner had they all settled down than the doorbell rang again.

This time it was Dad's older brother Ben, his wife and little boy. The living room was filling to capacity when the jingle of the doorbell sang again. Opening the door, Mom found Dad's sister, Rose, and her husband, Frank, waiting to come in.

Mom was perplexed by the sudden onslaught of Dad's family, most of whom she'd never met before: his Mama, Papa, six brothers, one sister, a brother-in-law, a sister-in-law and a young nephew, Benny. The room was crowded. Children doubled up on sofas and chairs. The boys were getting restless and began teasing their older brother.
It was then that Papa Dinapoli stood up and took control of the situation. "Ben, Joe, Frank, Tony, Nick, and Sal," he yelled, "sit down, boys, and be quiet. Your papa has something to say!"
Mom gazed at her parents, whose quizzical expressions seemed to ask, "What is this all about?"

Clearing his throat, and lighting up a large DeNobili cigar which he'd taken from his breast pocket, Papa Dinapoli said, "My family and I have come here today to express our approval and give our blessings to the marriage of our son Rocci to your daughter Sari."

Mom nearly fell off her chair. Her family's eyes gazed at her with shocked expressions.

Her future father-in-law continued his verbalization: "Rocci is a hardworking, honest young man who would make a very good husband for your daughter, Sari, and if everyone is in full agreement, a wedding day should be set."

Mom's face blushed every shade of red. She wasn't expecting a marriage proposal that soon, and not from Dad's entire family.
When Mom regained her composure, she managed to say "I will" to Dad's unique proposal.

Thanks to a little Old World old-fashioned meddling, Mom and Dad shared a happy marriage for 50 years. And today, some 60 years later, the story of that engagement remains one of Mom's most treasured memories.

 

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