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Photo Lantern 

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Well, Friday is finally here.
Looking forward to hanging by the fireplace,
how about you?
For now, I’m just sitting at my kitchen table drinking some tea,
looking out my back window.
It’s snowing here, and I love it!
If it’s going to be cold,
I want snow flakes falling from the sky.
I’m hoping for a blizzard soon…
I’m from Buffalo people.
I need snow.This is our back yard.
We have bonfires down there April-November.
This wasn’t taken today,
but it looks pretty much the same.
Can you find the bird house?
Very pretty out there.
Speaking of Buffalo,
I have a cute little story for you today,
and an easy way to display your photos.
The idea stems from my “Illuminated Photo Door” which you can find here.
The project also leaks over into my “Pottery Barn knock off” found here.
~My Mom is from Buffalo, NY.
Grand Island to be exact.
My Dad is from Batavia, NY.
About and hour East of Buffalo.Ironically enough,
they met outside the state of New York.It was June of 1954
and it was my Mom’s 20th birthday.
She was in Detroit with her best friend, Sally (they are still best friend’s).
They were at the Detroit train station heading back to
Buffalo after watching the Michigan State football game.
My Mom had been set up on a blind date that didn’t go so well.My Dad was in the Air Force at the time and was helping out a buddy by driving his car from Batavia to Detroit.  He had to take the train back to Buffalo as well.This is how my Dad described it to me yesterday in an e-mail…“We met June 1954, Moms Birthday, in the train station in Detroit.
Waiting to board the train we glanced at each other, Mom had on a seer sucker
suit- short waisted and a little tight- haha.  We ended up in the same car. They
sat behind me, Jojo and her best friend to this day, Sally. I was 19, mom was 20, 

I was in my khaki Air Force uniform, on the way to Batavia, 
Mom on the way to Buffalo.  
We just struck up a conversation, and I asked her for her address.
It went from there. We met a couple of times while I was on leave, 
then I went to Luke AFB in Arizona.
We wrote for some months, then I went home on leave to eventually go
overseas to GUAM.  We got engaged before I went for 18 months. 

The reason I was off course in Detroit, is because a buddy of mine from
Whyoming Military school had surgery and could not drive, so I drove
his car back to Detroit, he gave me $50 plus
paid for gas. That’s the most of it. love, Dad”
Bob & Joanne are 78 now.
They have been through quite a bit over the years.
Some good, some not so good.
They have raised 4 children and worked hard providing for their family.
They’ve survived blizzards, job losses, leaky roofs, and broken ankles.Moved across towns, and the country a couple times…
changed career paths several times…
and even divorced and decided to remarry one another in the middle of it all.Worst of all…
endured the pain of two sick children,
and eventually the loss of their beloved, and only son, Robert.Today, they bicker like most couples, but they are still together,
fighting old age and helping each other through it.They are enjoying their 3 grandchildren, their kitty, Daisy, and
loving each other the best way they know how.
It’s never been easy, nor perfect.
Life isn’t meant to be.I truly believe they were meant to meet that hot afternoon in Detroit.Best of all…our children are proof.
The circle of life.
It will continue because of that chance meeting at the train station.

What’s really interesting is that they ended up back in Michigan.

You never know where life’s train will lead you.

Picture

*** Some of the links in this post may contain affiliate links for your convenience.  Read full disclosure policy here.
Want to make one?  Do you have a lantern?
(Here’s an affordable one if not.)
How about a small lamp that you can take the shade off of?
If not, Christmas lights will work, too.
How about tape?
I know you have photos (use copies of photos if possible).
That’s all you need!
This would make a very thoughtful Valentine’s Day gift.
Thanks for stopping over to meet Bob & Jojo.
They’re going to love the memories I stirred up with this post.
I love you Mom & Dad!
Love,
Julie
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19 Responses

  1. jackie says:

    was wondering where you found the lantern?

  2. Beth says:

    Did you use the actual photos or use copies?

  3. Jaime says:

    Hi there, love this idea! I see you referenced the sidebar for the bulb provider, and maybe I’m just missing something but I can’t seem to find it. Where did you get the wonderful vintage bulb?

  4. Reggie says:

    Hello! Did you use a 40 or 60 watt bulb? Secondly, did you use any special paper to print the pictures you used in your lantern?

  5. Amy says:

    This is the best idea i’ve seen in a long time! I have to make one! I’d love to make one of my boys .. from little to teenagers to grown men now. Thank you so much for posting this, loved the lantern, loved the story, loved everything about this post!

  6. Ann Feinleib says:

    Hi, Julie,
    I am looking for creative centerpiece ideas for my daughter’s party.
    I really liked your photo lantern, but am having trouble locating one.
    Where can I get one?
    Thanks in advance for your reply.
    Best, An

  7. sarah says:

    A one picture tutorial 🙁 I am guessing that you just stuck the pictures on to the lantern glass and lit the light bulb?

  8. carol says:

    Aww such a romantic story of how the ‘family began’. Love the photo lantern. Guess I’m behind a bit behind (like almost 3yrs). Plan to make a valentine napkin wreath; cute AND EASY 🙂

    • Julie Fiato says:

      Carol…I want to make a valentine napkin wreath so badly! Easter would be cute, too. Let me know how it turns our please 😉

  9. Dad says:

    Story has not changed, now we are 83! love, Mom and Dad in NY

  10. Bette says:

    Hi Julie:
    Just read the story on how your parents met. What an inspiration for all young people, stick it out, no matter what!! I have been married 66 yrs to the same great Italian, we have weathered our storms, but love each other more now than ever,
    Thank you for your stories, they are so nice.
    Does your son do your photo shoots, if so, he is very talented.
    Can’t wait for your next email.

    Cheers, Bette

    • Julie says:

      Hi there, Bette! We love our Italian hubbies don’t we? We are truly blessed you & I!! I do all of my photos, but I do ask both my kiddos advice on things from time to time. They have a natural ability to see things I miss. I hope you are doing okay up there in Canada! My next post will be up soon…it’s our kitchen sink & faucet. XXOO

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