Jean and Sam Update

11/24/2018

Update from The Gift of Gossamer

Jean and Sam were married on June 6, 1953 in Bridgeport, Ohio at St. Anthony's church. Their reception was held at the house pictured above. The couple visited Atlantic City for their honeymoon. Sam had his work cut out for him when they came back: convincing Jean's mother he was a good match for her daughter. He used his charm to slowly win her over, complimenting her cooking every chance he got. "I never knew anyone who could fry chicken like you." His tactic worked and after many family dinners, and many compliments, she grew to love her son-in-law.

Jean and Sam's first home was a four bedroom apartment they rented for $10 a month. It was on the second floor above her brother Joe and his wife. One day they ventured out of their apartment to visit one of the many relatives in town, Jean's aunt. Sam didn't think anything about the hole in his shirt. Par for the course for a bricklayer. Jean's aunt didn't agree. She stuck her finger in the hole and ripped Sam's shirt clean off!

One year after their wedding, they welcomed their first child, a son, into the world. Over the years, the couple added three more, another boy and two girls, one of whom is my mother. Sam built three of the four houses their family lived in.

Ironically, years after Sam passed, Jean reconnected with Bud and maintained a friendship with him for several years.

Previously an elementary teacher, Arielle Haughee (Hoy) is a multi-genre author living in the Orlando area. She has a serious reading addiction, fantasy romance her absolute favorite, and loves nothing more than good conversation paired with a good wine. She is surrounded by males at home—a husband, two sons, and an energetic dog—and tries to integrate as much purple and flowers in the house as possible.

Arielle is the owner of Orange Blossom Publishing and the author of children’s picture books Grumbler and Joyride (2019). She also writes short fiction for a number of anthologies and publications. She’s won three Royal Palm Literary Awards including First Place Published Flash Fiction for “Flight of a New Dawn” in 2018. Visit www.ariellehaughee.com.