A long time ago I lost my heart to a sailor.
My heart couldn’t help it.
He had these sparkling brown eyes that twinkled when he smiled and a grin that made me melt from the top of my freshly highlighted hair to the tips of my glittered red toes.
So in honor of my twinkling eyed sailor this Memorial Day,,,,,I wanted to re-publish one of my favorite posts ever.
In the history of ever.
About a sailor who loved a girl.
And a girl who loved a sailor…..
…..and her Lee Press-On Nails.
When my husband was my boyfriend….he joined the Navy.
At the time, I really didn’t know much about the Navy….except that the uniforms were really cute.
And those hats.
*sigh*
Actually….when he told me that he joined the Navy…..all I could think about was how cute he was going to look in his uniform. I didn’t really understand about sacrifice and drills and boot camp and shaved heads and leaving for three months to go away.
Oh….and I didn’t understand how much I was going to miss him.
![Day_Lilies[1]](https://thistlewoodfarms.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Day_Lilies1.jpg)
So when a plane ticket arrived in the mail with an invitation to go and see him graduate from boot camp….I was ready. I planned for three weeks for the perfect “see your boyfriend graduate from boot camp” outfit.
It was royal blue.
With brass buttons and military style detailing.
And matching blue pumps.
And I had my hair highlighted and got a fresh tan and new lip liner and new giant medallion style gold earrings that resembled door knockers and a brand new set of bright red spiked Lee Press-On-Nails.
Remember Lee Press-On-Nails?
Weren’t they the best?
They came in a set of 10 nails with glue strips that worked really well at first….and then after a while the glue strips stopped working and you had to go all old school with the nail glue.
True glamour at it’s finest.
And so there I stood on that hot afternoon day.
Waiting in my royal blue suit with the brass buttons and military style detailing and my matching pumps and my highlighted hair and my lipstick and my Lee Press-On-Nails.
That kept falling off. Or rather….in my nervous excitement I think I kept peeling them off.
And gluing them back on.
Again. And again.
As I waited for what seemed like forever….as first one company and then another and another and another marched through the chain link fence into the parade area. And finally….as the very last company marched through…..step by step in perfect time….there in the very center….was my sailor.
You see….he was the captain of the troop.
The leader.
And he was so cute and he was wearing the uniform and the hat and saying all sorts of leader-like things…..like…..“Left….left….left…..right….left.”
He marched them right into the center of that parade ground where they paused…..with their white Navy uniforms gleaming in the sun. Then my handsome sailor turned, faced the crowd and saluted. And then he said the words that made my heart beat faster…… “Company……halt.”
Company halt.
That was good enough for me.
I didn’t know there was any more to the ceremony.
I mean….the company had marched in….and they were stopped….and I had been waiting and waiting and waiting.
Without pausing…. I leapt up from my seat and ran down from the stands onto that parade field with my Lee-Press-On-Nails flying in the wind.
And I jumped into his arms.
And as he tumbled over and his sailor hat was knocked to the ground….I heard his faint muffled voice croaking out….
“Ummmm…..Company…..dismissed.”
And as the sounds of laughter and applause from the crowd surrounded us…..a sailor fell in love with his girl….
….and she and her Lee-Press-On-Nails fell in love right back.
 
Happy Memorial Day! Thanks for listening the second time around. 🙂
PS I was not compensated by Lee-Press-On-Nails in any way for this post. As a matter of fact….I don’t even know if they make them anymore….but for all the girls waiting on their sailors…..maybe they should.
Lovely story. I remember those press on nails too! They picture on the box always looked so realistic. So glad you got your sailor! Happy Memorial Day!
This is one of my favorite posts too....Happy Memorial Day...!!
Oh how you make me laugh!!
Thank you so much for that beautiful touching story. I love all your stories, but that one put a tear in my eye this Memorial Day. Many years of happiness to you and your sailor. Please keep the posts coming I really enjoy hearing from and about you and your family.
Wonderful story, your description of yourself is priceless!! My daughter loved those press on nails too and how I hated them....they never stayed on and she would get so frustrated...now my 4 granddaughters love them too...sigh...some things never change. :-)
What a PRECIOUS story! And, a HUGE thank you to your sailor for serving our country! Life to the full! Melissa
Awwwwh what a wonderful story! It did make me cry. Also, I felt every second of your wait and your leap into his arms. Tell him thank you for serving.
My daughter is married to a wonderful Navy man. I am forwarding this sweet story to her. Thanks for all who serve our country and those we have lost.
Wonderful!
Thanks for the giggle, and warm story! What.is.it.about. A.man.in.uniform?? Hope you and your family have a memorable day! ;)
Your story was a perfect way to start Memorial Day! It made my heart smile! Thanks so much to your husband for his service. God Bless you two!
A heartwarming story, Karianne. I was thinking of my mother, who married a sailor too and waited so many times for his return. BTW, they still make Lee Press On Nails! Happy Memorial Day, dear friend, XOXO
Soo sweet....I married a sailor too!
Pure...magic! God Bless America!
Still a great story second time around! Happy Memorial Day! Thanks for the smiles!
OMG!!!! You are hysterical!! I have said this before to you, you should seriously think about writing! You have a gift! Cheryl XO
Oh my that is a GREAT story! I had to read it out loud to my hubs because he looked so cute in his Army uniform when I was in college. Don't those uniforms make them look cute???? I must tell you what a great story teller you are. I know you enjoy decorating, designing, and DIY-ing....is that a word???? But honestly every time I see your blog in my mail box, I hope it is a story, not a project. Don't get me wrong, your projects are awesome too, but your gift is in writing. Wish I knew an editor to send them too. Have a blessed weekend with your family, Vicki in Louisville KY
Aww...such a sweet story and you told it darlingly! Is that a word? Well, it is now! You painted a picture with your cute words and I could see every detail - even the Lee press on nails! I bought some for my daughter for her graduation pictures! :) Be a sweetie, Shelia ;)
What a sweet...and funny...story!
What a great story! Have a great memorial day!
Oh child you made me laugh and cry!!! Be sure to jump in his arms today, you don't have to have press on nails for that!!!
Sweet story..Glad everything worked out!!
Love this story!! Happy Memorial Day!~~Angela
Such a sweet story. I wonder if everyone reading your stories plays them out in their minds too.... Who needs a romance movie when we have your stories :)
I subscribe to a lot of blogs but when I see a post from you it's always one of the 1st ones that I just can't wait to read. You are totally adorable and always make me laugh. Don't ever change. Wish I lived close to you as I'm sure we'd be BFF's. Have a wonderful Memorial Day and God bless.
What a wonderful memory! Thank you for sharing! Lee Press On Nails...u bet! Even before I was allowed to buy a pack , I recall that in 5th grade my best friend & I glued ( probably Elmer's) red pistachio shells to our finger nails. That was glamor unparalleled on a hot summer afternoon when I was 10. Hug your Sailor tight today, Kelly
Oh, my goodness! What a beautiful love story. My husband would have joked over the years and said "and I married her anyway"! Thank you so much for posting this. It made me smile. I really needed to smile because I buried my Mom 2 days ago. It made me remember Less Press On Nails, too. Another happy memory of being home with Mom. Aren't we all so very blessed? Thank you for reminding me of that. God bless you and happy Memorial Day. A big thank you to your veteran for serving for our country so that we can have the freedom we enjoy today.
God bless you Brenda, take care of yourself. I hope you have wonderful memories of your mother.
Oh Karianne, I had to read this out loud it was so awesome! Happy Memorial Day friend :) xo, Tanya
So glad your handsome sailor had the common sense to fall head over heels for you and your fab red press on nails... Fantastic story... makes me want to put some brass buttons on something...
Oh fellow 80's girl... I think we must have been dressed like twins C:
OMG! What a great story! Just hilarious...and so, so, so cute. Your effervescence was so charming The audience must have been delighted to watch; everyone loves love. Thanks for sharing.
As I read your sweet post it brought back so many happy memories. My husband was also his Air Force boot camp platoon leader way back in 1967. Happy Memorial Day!
Oh, you do make me smile, again and again. Love it when you tell a story, KariAnne. Happy Memorial Day to you and your sailor and your darling family. ~ Sarah
KariAnne, what an adorable story. Too bad that wasn't caught on film. Happy Memorial Day. Jeannie
Completely adorable! Thank your husband for his service. Signed, The proud wife of retired MSgt. Eric C. Gunn :)
God Bless our soldiers and sailors of yesterday, today and tomorrow! What a lovely story to read. How proud you must be of your sailor!!
I laughed and cried this time, too. The best love story. I can just see it all. Thanks for printing it all over again.
Great story, I have never tried those nails or any type of false nails
Yup...still my favorite post ever!
You make me laugh over and over again! My oldest sister and I had those nails, but didn't everyone if you were cool! he! he! Thank your hub for serving our country!
Looooooove this post! *smile*!
What a sweet and funny story! Big thank you to you and your husband for your service.
**love** this!!
Oh my... I'm laughing so hard. First off, many thanks to your hubs for his service and to you for standing beside your military man! Lee Press on.... oh, they are the thorn of embarrassment in my side. I too used to wear them (along with the huge gold door knocker earrings). Hey, we looked hot, right!? Well it was prom and as I proudly got out of the limo, gracefully extending my hand for my older, handsome, senior date,... he stopped to reach for something back on the limo floor. I went pale! It was one of my bright fuschia Lee Press On Nails!!!!!!! "Is this yours?" .... mortified... kill...me...now! Great post girlfriend!
I will NEVER get tired of hearing (or reading) this story!
Just discovered your site after -oddly enough - as I was Googling "Lee Press on Nails." Read your About section and owning our own farm is mine and my husband's dream. Maybe one day we will jump too.
I thought for sure at the end of the story there would be a photo of the sailor and his girl...or the girl and her sailor.