Friends Forever . ************************************************ Majestic hardwood tree trunks stood guard ‘round the perimeter of the grassy lawn surrounding the lodge at Goodyear Metro Park. Limbs stretched upward dividing into branches laden with leaves just beginning their colorful transformation into warm fall hues. Puffy white wisps of clouds studded the clear, blue sky as rays of sunlight danced between tendrils laden with vegetation. Gradually, heavy vehicles of the 1950’s era, festooned with wide, shinny chrome bumpers, lumbered up the driveway and into the parking lot; emptying themselves of the men, women and children attending the annual Goodyear Aerospace employee picnic. Grey, metallic frames held swings suspended from links of chain and beckoned children of all ages to clamber upon them. Little legs extended outward to propel forward; and flexed to move backwards and magically all gained altitude until the heavens might be grasped. Within the lodge, long tables stretched from front to back and soon picnic variety foods were ready to serve. All in attendance selected seats among the folding chairs lining the aisles. Ques formed and paper plates were soon laden with potato salad, hot dogs and beans. Once seated, conversations erupted between mouthfuls. Always on the lookout for a playmate, my 7 year old eyes rested upon a sweet little girl with a blond Paige-boy hair style and an outgoing personality. Introductions were made and after learning that her name was Barbara, we rushed outdoors as our parents conversed. Little did we know that a lifelong friendship would be kindled that day; not only between two children, but also between our families for generations to come. Our lives would forever be intertwined. I soon learned that Barbara was a student in tap and baton classes at the The Norma Valentine School of Dance in Barberton, Ohio; and I was thrilled when my father consented to my enrollment. Barb and I learned dance steps to “Walking in a Winter Wonderland” and “Tea for Two” and began twirling chromed rods in tune to marching music. As was common in the Akron, Ohio area, our instructor formed a baton group called The Valentines. Nearly 40 girls of varying ages began practicing coordinated march routines as we lined up on the long, wood floored dance studio. Our mothers created flashy, circular skirted costumes fashioned with sequined hearts and bright pink feather trim. Beginning with the Cherry Blossom Festival Parade around Lake Anna in Barberton and concluding with the traditional Akron Labor Day parade, our group enchanted crowds lining the streets as we extended arms and maneuvered batons cyclically all the while singing an original tune penned by Barbara’s Dad, Bernie Bauer “We are the Valentines Pretty pert, pretty pert Valentines. We’ll steal your heart away Any time, any day. We are the Valentines Marching on parade! We will dance, we will twirl We will prance as we swirl For we are the Valentines!” So much fun! And as Barb and I shared childhood adventures, our parents too became fast friends. Hours upon hours were spent in each other’s homes as events of the day were discussed; and Sunday evenings were spent watching episodes of Bonanza. Often all converged upon the Bauer’s kitchen table for lively games of Monopoly, with Bernie organizing money and properties as the banker. Cookouts, trips to the State Park at Turkeyfoot Lakes, and “drop-ins” just to say “hello” as the adults shared a cup of coffee; and Barb and I concocted “shows” pantomimed to 1940’s Spike Jones comedy records performed for our captive audience. Trips to Cedar Point were punctuated with home made signs saying “Cedar Point or BUST”; and Barb’s parents became Uncle Bernie and Auntie Mac. They remain treasures of my heart. As all lives tend to do ever so quickly, childhood soon dissolved into teen years and adulthood. Gone were the days of summer camp weeks, picking strawberries, black raspberries and throwing rotten tomatoes at boulders. Before we scarcely blinked an eye Barb was walking down the aisle, looking like a Princess as she met her Prince Charming, Karl Pfaff. Eventually my home was made in Alabama while Barb and Karl remained in Ohio. And though miles separated us, our friendship remained and we continued to share life experiences; even having babies only days apart. Trips to the beaches of Alabama and the Florida panhandle and even to the Smoky Mountains highlighted our lives and served to intertwine our families further. 63 years have now passed since that late summer day of our meeting; and though neither of us had a sister; I truly believe that our long history of shared experiences would qualify as a true kinship. I love you Barbara Ann Bauer Pfaff and am thankful for our friendship. May it continue forever.
