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Smell the Roses ~ Valentine Day Love Story

By
Education & Training with Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate

Smell the Roses

 

RosesReal Estate's 24/7 demands make it hard to take time to smell the roses.

Through some luck of fate, Dave Yonkers invited me to dinner aboard his boat US'N and I accepted.  That was almost 14 years ago and the rest is history, so to speak, until Heather Chavez invited ActiveRain members to share a link to their love story.

What better day to retell a love story than Valentine's Day?

Dave and I had worked at the same company for two & half years, but in different divisions.  I was busy filling three roles: residential sales manager, trainer/instructor as well as listing and selling real estate. 

Basically, real estate was my life.  No time for a social life until . . .  I overheard Dave in the lunchroom describe his perfect evening to a group of fellow Realtors®.  

Dave's perfect evening--Cruise Presque Isle Bay followed by dinner aboard US'N, watch the sunset and view the Erie skyline after dark.  It took me several days (Dave says it was weeks) to get the message that he wanted me to join him for a dinner cruise.  Dah!!  

Take time to smell the roses--This is something Dave said to me on one of our earliest dates.

Good things take time, dear--Our early dates were often aboard his boat US'N  but also involved activities with family & friends.   Holidays, weddings, grandchildren.  Fifteen months later, while driving three hours to visit his family, we discussed getting married in spring of 1999.

No diamond--No, I did not want a diamond.  Just a simple gold band.  Reluctantly, Dave agreed.  (He loves to buy gifts for me.)

No diamond-- Yes, remodel the family room.  Yes, that was my final answer.  I was perfectly happy with a gold band and our newly remodeled family room where we have spent many enjoyable evenings.

Front porch--Summer evenings are spent on the front porch "watching the grass grow."  (Dave's words)

Vacations--Dave spent 27 years with the US Navy and saw a lot of the world.  I have been fortunate to see just a little bit with him over the years.  Bermuda, Newport, Alaska, Hawaii, the Caribbean islands via cruise ships and road trips up & down the east coast.

Home--Nothing beats a quiet dinner together, whether on our new boat US'N TWO or home in front of our fireplace.  I finally convinced him to stop buying me gifts.  Let's just travel.

     Dinner at Yonkers Fireplace

Happy Valentine's Day

Don't forget to take time to smell the roses

 

Posted by

 ***************

Mary Yonkers

 

      I thought about a Real Estate career for 11 years before I made the decision to get my Pennsylvania Real Estate license in mid-80's.  

      Thirty years later I can say affirmatively that Real Estate has been a fantastic career. 

      Come join me in class soon. Mary Yonkers, Real Estate Instructor

 

With so many homes for sale in Erie PA, this is the right time to begin your career as a Real Estate salesperson in Erie, PA.

 2018 Alan Kells

 

 

 

www.alankells.com

Mary Yonkers, Real Estate Instructor

 

 
 Mary Yonkers Howard Hanna Real Estate Services in Erie, PA

          Office:  814-835-1200 or Cell:  814-881-7548

Real Estate Classes Alan Kells Schools of Real Estate in Erie, PA  1-412-967-0240 

Real Estate Career in Erie, PA  1-814-835-1200

 

Comments (13)

Heather Chavez
Second Self Virtual Assistance - Caldwell, ID
Real Estate Virtual, Assistant (928) 692-3235

That's such a beautiful story, Mary.  You and Dave make a fabulous couple.  Happy Valentine's Day!  Very wise to "stop and smell the roses".

Feb 14, 2011 02:11 AM
Don MacLean
New England Real Estate Center Inc. - Easton, MA
Realtor-Homes for Sale- Easton, Mass 02356

Great story.

Simplicity can far out way the material things that we don't use or even forget why we received them, and in some cases from who

Enjoy the day

Feb 14, 2011 02:32 AM
Steve, Joel & Steve A. Chain
Chain Real Estate Investments & Mortgage, Steve & Joel Chain - Cottonwood, CA

Mary,

That is a beautiful and continuing love story. It sounds like Dave knows were the flowers grow.

Best,

Steve

Feb 14, 2011 03:08 AM
Laura Forman
RE/MAX AEROSPACE REALTY www.LauraSellsBrevard.com - Melbourne, FL
Your Brevard Premier Property Specialist

Mary, I've missed you on AR for a few days.  Glad you are back with a great story.  Keep it simple as everything we need is often right in front of us.

Feb 14, 2011 04:18 AM
Jason M. Keith
Caliber Home Loans - Parker, CO
Equal Housing Lender

Hello Mary, Fantastic story, may you watch many more sunsets together!

Feb 14, 2011 04:29 AM
Linda D. Pufford
Stage with Divine Style - Home Staging - Novato, CA
ASPM, Marin/Sonoma Home Stager

Mary,

What a beautiful love story!  It sounds like you really love and appreciate your man....I'm sure he feels the same way about you.  Thanks for sharing your love story with us.  "Happy Valentine's Day"

Feb 14, 2011 04:44 AM
Suzanne Taylor
Ultima Real Estate - Corpus Christi - Corpus Christi, TX
Home Sales In Corpus Christi, TX

Mary, what a great story.  Rather than give each other gifts, I would much rather plan a cruise. My husband and I just arrived back home yesterday from a cruise.  Such fun.

Feb 14, 2011 04:23 PM
Al & Peggy Cunningham, Brokers
RE/MAX West Realty Inc., Brokerage - Brampton, ON
Our Family Wants To Help Your Family!

Great story Mary, sounds like you get the royal treatment, not just on Valentine's Day but everyday. Yes smell the roses! 

Feb 15, 2011 01:01 PM
Melanie Hedrick
Elite Texas Properties, the best homes from McKinney to Dallas! - McKinney, TX
972-816-7205

Hi Mary -- I like your story and agree completely about taking time to smell the roses in life.  I think about it especially right now while my children are growing up so fast.  Our schedules can be hectic, but if we don't make time for "family time" now, it won't be too long when there won't be kids around to have "family time" with!

Feb 15, 2011 01:28 PM
Toni Weidman
Sailwinds Realty - Trinity, FL
20+ Years Selling Homes in New Port Richey, FL

Mary-I've missed you for the last week or so. I love your story. I told Craig years ago-no cut flowers buy me a plant to grow in the yard. I love to see them year after year!

Feb 17, 2011 07:21 AM
Janice Roosevelt
Keller Williams Brandywine Valley - West Chester, PA
OICP ABR, ePRO,Ecobroker

Mary, so beautiful, so perfect. Love the new photo and ahirdo

Feb 20, 2011 01:57 PM
Toni Weidman
Sailwinds Realty - Trinity, FL
20+ Years Selling Homes in New Port Richey, FL

Mary - love the new picture and your new "do".

Feb 20, 2011 11:23 PM
Mary Yonkers
Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA
Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

Thanks everyone for stopping to read my Valentine story.  Life with Dave has been wonderful and wea re looking forward to many more years together.  Come visit us soon.

Feb 21, 2011 08:15 AM