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Friday, February 14, 2014

A Valentine's Tribute: Phanmalee Khoumpapakdy

I remember scribbling Mrs. Phanmalee Khoumpapakdy during some really boring class time in the tenth grade. Daydreams of what our children might look like one day filled my head. This guy dominated my thoughts non-stop.

When I first met him, we both were attending a Friday night youth group. He definitely caught my eye. Bruce Lee came to mind--I had a terrible crush on him, too. It had to be his moves. 

Anyway, after our first date, Phanmalee and I were inseparable after school. We did almost everything together.

One day we'd be at my house, and the next we'd be at his.

His grandmother would clasp her hands together. "Phanmalee and Shell mare-lee." Then she'd stuff a dried chili pepper between her teeth and chew. Personally, I couldn't figure out how she could keep something that hot in her mouth throughout the day. She replaced them frequently.

His entire family that couldn't speak English had it in their heads for us to get "Mare-lee" one day.

"Make purdy bay-bay," his mom said.

But as you all know, I never married him. In fact, we broke up 8 months later due to cultural differences, and the fact that I had a meddling mother. But he'll always be ingrained in my memory. 

Anyone ever have a boyfriend your family didn't like and why?

Oh and see what the Sweetman got me!


And here's my little Valentine. There's nothing better than grandbaby hugs and kisses.
I hope everyone has a day full of chocolate, flowers, hugs, and kisses today.

Hugs and chocolate, all!
Shelly

28 comments:

  1. My mom initially didn't like my significant other because she thought I'd drop out of school to marry him. I didn't, so she loves him now—even though we never did get married.

    Sweet story, and gorgeous flowers!

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    1. I was so draft over him. Lot of great memories. His mom taught me how to cook since mine didn't.

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  2. LOL - I think most of my boyfriends made my mom cringe. She met my husband before we were even dating, and when she found out we were, she proudly showed off his picture to everyone. I think she liked him more than she liked me.

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  3. Glad she liked your hubby. My mother only liked the guys she picked for me. But those relationships always ended in disaster.

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  4. Loved your story of first loves! Your story was funny, especially his mom talking about the babies. My mom had a friend from the orient that taught her to cook Tai foods. I guess because I remember her friend and listening to her teaching my mom cooking! :) What a beautiful bouquet of roses from your hubby! Your little fellow is growing up so big and handsome. He is going to break little girls hearts! Have a great weekend and Happy Valentines Day!

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    1. He and his family will always stay in my memories.

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  5. My dad couldn't stand Collin's father. "Bum" was the kindest word he used to describe the guy.

    The flowers are beautiful, but the best gift you could get is that cute little fellow in your arms!

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  6. Funny story. I never had girlfriends for my family not to like. They liked my wives except they stopped liking the second one after we got a divorce. I kind of stopped liking her too after that.

    Lee
    Wrote By Rote
    An A to Z Co-host blog

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  7. Yes. I did. And it had nothing to do with my mother's meddling.

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  8. Cute. Both the story and the picture. And don't get me started on boyfriends, or those I thought about as such.

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    1. Thank you, Lorelei. I'm sure you have some fun ones.

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  9. So many rules about boys when I was a teenager but I did the right thing and chose the boy they wanted me to choose. Then I got married. And then I got divorced. But now I'm happily married and I chose this one all on my own. Families eh. Love the photo.

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  10. I too love your story! I love your photo with your adorable grandson and lovely flowers~ A wonderful post...
    Oh, yeah I had one they kept shoving at me...and another they couldn't stand, but for the most part my Dad approved after 20 questions and if they loved cars. If you could talk cars-he approved...

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  11. My family liked the nice man I didn't marry more than the right man that I did marry. Twenty years later they just avoid the topic. LOL

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  12. I had the opposite - the boyfriend's family didn't like me because of cultural differences.

    You obviously ended up with the right guy!

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  13. Aww ... fer sweet! Happy Valentines (belated). ;)

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    Replies
    1. Thank you. Happy belated Valentine's to you, too.

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  14. Fond memories. You married the right person in the end :)

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  15. Wow those roses are beautiful!

    I've never really dated the same guy often enough for my parents to form an opinion. Chalk it up to my own choosiness.

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Let me know what you think.