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Karl R. Josker | all galleries >> Galleries >> 51 Years With Jennifer > Forever Is Forever
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9-6-69 Unknown

Forever Is Forever

Looking through some old photos, I came across this one. It reminded me of the extraordinary times that brought Jennifer and I together. We were both 19, each of us feeling the need for change, a breaking free, and finding a life direction. On the eve of our 37th anniversary, I recall that summer.

It was the summer of '69. I just completed ROTC training at Ft. Benning, Georgia; Jennifer was in Harrison, Maine, working as a girl's camp counselor. Upon completion of basic training, I was released from my ROTC obligation, and I returned home to Buffalo. Nothing to do, no job, nowhere to go, I got a little wild, and a whole lot goofy. I kept in touch with Jennifer, and I told her I couldn't stay there anymore, and she said she didn't want to go home either. Why don't I pick her up and maybe together we could figure something out. I had a couple of weeks to decide, she wasn't done until August 15, 1969.

In those few weeks, I was lost, I didn't know what I wanted or what to do. For some reason, I went into a Zales Jeweler's, and bought a quarter carat diamond ring, for the princely sum of $100, most of which I had to borrow. After burning the last of the bridges to my past, I left on Friday, August 15, 1969 for Harrison, Maine.

I arrived at the camp at a couple of minutes to five; everyone was gone. I looked through the trees, out over the small lake, and on the other side, I could see Jennifer, sitting on the dock, knees drawn to her chest, the sunlight illuminating her long blonde hair. I drove over to her, greeted her, and loaded her stuff into the car. As she got into the car, she asked, "Are you sure you want to do this?" "I'm sure," I replied.

We drove for a couple hours, and finally stopped for the night. At a little greasy spoon somewhere in New England, over dinner, she asked again, "Are you really sure? If you're not, you can just drop me off at a bus station, no hard feelings." I reached into my pocket and passed the small package over to her. She opened it, her eyes grew wide, and she said, "You know, this means forever." "Yeah, I know."

The next morning, heading south, I said to her, "There's a music, concert thing not far from here, do you want to stop?" She said sure, and we made our way to Woodstock, not knowing what to expect. It was the first of many cultural icons that we simply fell into.

Through the years, I have offered many times to upgrade that quarter carat ring; and her answer is always the same. "No; forever is forever."


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Mark Stringer 17-Sep-2014 01:00
I love this album. It parallels my own timeline. Married in 1970 3 kids but we divorced. I am so happy for you and your wife. Your wife is a wonderful and rare woman. I'm sure you are a fine man. This should be a movie. Thanks for the memories.
Lee Kibbler 28-May-2007 22:12
I found you when looking for a picture of the "409" emblem and found a truly beautiful story. Congratulations you guys definitely found your soul mates. I can't wait to show your site to my wife.
P.S. I couldn't believe the part about the Corvette as I am about to, at 50, take away that dream for myself and buy a new one in a few months. I feel like we are friends.
rocco 16-Aug-2006 07:06
What a great story... I have spent the last hour going over the '36 years' and it amazes me the fact that i do not even know you guys... I got to your website after searching for jail photography, strange, and found soooooo much more than I would ever expect. I'm married to a Jennifer and love photography as well, though it's only been 11 years I do relate to a lot of what I see (and look forward for what the future holds). I truly believe my Jenni is an angel (really). She too got so much wisdom. But forget about that, you guys are fantastic and obviously made for each other. Congratulations on this wonderful journey. Cheers..
Tom Howerton15-Jul-2006 01:57
Great story. Thanks for sharing.

Tom