How I Met My Husband, Part 2

by | Sep 21, 2014 | China, family, home | 12 comments

 

Eugene after judo classMy late husband Eugene and I were born on opposite sides of the world. The journey from Gulangyu, China, to Sedro-Woolley, WA, where we met was a long one: 6168 miles, not half-way around the world, but still a very long distance.

In part 1, I tell of his chopstick-holding technique and his mother’s prediction, two wars, and a crash course to learn English when he moved to Yokohama, Japan. But he still had 4766 miles to go. The unlikely events that eventually brought us together included: “jungle rot,” uncertainty at Boeing, Maidenform bras, and a persuasive priest.

The University of the Philippines and a bad case of “jungle rot”

After 12th grade graduation from St. Joseph College in Yokohama, Japan, Eugene followed his family to Manila and enrolled in the Mechanical Engineering program at the University of the Philippines. In those days the UP dormitories didn’t have air conditioning or even fans.

By the end of Eugene’s sophomore year, the extreme heat and humidity plus lingering results of the malnutrition he experienced as a child caught up with him, and he came down with a bad case of what he called “jungle rot.” Although tropical ulcers usually occur below the knee, Eugene’s lesions were on his back. After some attempts to treat the condition, his doctor suggested that he should either find an air-conditioned room or transfer to a school in a country with a more temperate climate. A friendly Jesuit priest suggested Seattle University.

Eugene at SU, 2 001Seattle University

I was a freshman at Seattle U when Eugene transferred from the University of the Philippines. I didn’t meet him there, though. He was too busy studying, cooking for his four roommates, and holding down a number of part-time jobs. One of the most colorful was his job as a bouncer at the Wah Mee gambling club in Seattle’s Chinatown. Years later, the club achieved notoriety when Willie Mak and two accomplices gunned down fourteen people during a robbery.

By Eugene’s senior year, he had found a more peaceful job answering the phone for the priests and seminarians at Saint Edwards Seminary on the north end of Lake Washington.

Boeing changes its mind, and Maidenform busts in.

Months before graduation, Eugene already had a job offer from Boeing. And then, suddenly, due to uncertainty with the Super Sonic Transport project, he didn’t. With his student visa about to expire and no other prospect in sight, he accepted a job with Maidenform. It seems that designing a bra requires the expertise of stress engineers.

When he told his boss at the seminary, the old priest frowned. “That’s no job for a young man,” he said. He clasped his hands together over his ample belly and pondered for a moment. “I’ll find you something more suitable.” And he did. He called priest friends around the Northwest, and found one who could help: Father Brendan Gallagher at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Sedro-Woolley, WA.

Father Brendan Gallegher 001A persuasive priest

Father Brendan Gallagher was very persuasive. So when he “suggested” to Sid McIntyre, a parishioner and also the owner of Skagit Corporation, a manufacturer of equipment for logging, construction and shipping, that he ought to hire the “nice young engineer from Seattle University,” Mr. McIntyre agreed that, yes, he could use another engineer.

But that wasn’t the end of Father Gallagher’s help. Before long he decided Eugene needed assistance finding a girlfriend. Never lacking in ingenuity, he concocted various pretexts for Eugene to meet suitable young women. I was one of them.

Kissing Eugene 002my signature

12 Comments

  1. Gwen Stephens

    What a great story! So many things had aligned just the right way to bring Eugene to you. Wonderful.

    Reply
    • Nicki Chen

      I guess there’s always a story behind how we meet our spouses–sometimes short and sweet, sometimes long and involved. Thank you, Gwen, for stopping by.

      Reply
  2. Constance - Foreign Sanctuary

    Nicki, another great post about love and destiny! I was so disappointed when this post ended. I wanted to know more!

    Reply
    • Nicki Chen

      Next week I’m jumping way ahead to a twentieth-anniversary hot air balloon ride.

      Reply
  3. CrazyChineseFamily

    This is a wonderful story. Just so interesting how everything came together so you two could meet.
    The hairstyle in picture 2 is defenitely in style again, just saw today few guys with a similar haircut!

    Reply
  4. nrhatch

    Love the twists and turns of fate that “conspired” to bring you together.

    Reply
  5. Jocelyn - Speaking of China

    Nicki, I am just loving these posts about you and Eugene. And I have to say, that photo of you and him kissing is just totally precious. 🙂

    Reply
  6. Mark Danielson

    So Nicki, what happened then? What was your first date like? (cousin Patrice)

    Reply
  7. chinaelevatorstories

    How exciting :). I don’t usually wish other people unwell, but in this case I really have to say I’m happy he had jungle rots and went to the US because of it (or maybe I should say I’m happy it gave him the chance of meeting you, and you sharing your exceptional love story today).

    The introduction by the priest sounds a lot like the kind of introductions people (often friends) do in China nowadays. Will you post a part 3 of the story?

    I like the second picture. Did you know that a similar hairstyle is currently popular in China?

    Reply
    • Nicki Chen

      I like the second picture too. Although the typewriter shows how long ago it was, I guess the hair is back in style in some places. A “part 3?” I’m thinking about it.

      Reply

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