Why is my blog is called
Walking on Sunshine?
I'm sure most of you have heard of the song,
"Walking on Sunshine" by Katrina and the Waves.
But I thought I'd share with you exactly why I chose
Walking on Sunshine
as the title for my blog over 3 years ago.
The Colonel and I first met when I was 13 and he was 14 through our churches.
Once a month our youth groups would get together
at a roller skating rink in Long Island, NY.
He was the GORGEOUS boy with the most gorgeous blond hair
and I was the dorky, awkward girl with braces
and this unruly curly hair that I didn't know how to properly style.
He was the boy who all the girls wanted to skate with.
I was the girl who was NEVER asked to skate for the
"Couples Only" skate song.
But we were friends
and he was always nice to me.
We saw each other all the time at different youth activities
and camp throughout the years.
Fast forward to Youth Convention.
I hadn't seen the Colonel in 2 years.
I walk into a hotel room with a bunch of other kids
and there was this guy sitting there, telling jokes,
and I decided to ruin the punch line of one of his jokes.
He looks at me and says,
"Aren't you going to say hello?"
I say back to him, "Well, I would but I don't know you."
And he says, "How could you forget me? I'm Phil."
And I say, "Phil? What happened to all your hair?"
And so the dating begins.
Seriously, the next day he takes me for pizza.
It seems he cut his hair because he was now a part of
the Army ROTC program at Queens College.
That summer he went to Advanced Camp and Airborne Training
in North Carolina.
Before he left he gave me the tape,
yes I said tape,
of Katrina and the Waves, "Walking on Sunshine."
There's a line in that song that goes as follows...
"Now every time I run to the mail box
I gotta hold myself down.
'Cause I just can't wait till the day you write me
you're coming around."
And that summer I did anxiously wait for a letter from
my Colonel.
And there were many letters,
followed by a year or so of dating
and then an engagement
and finally a WEDDING.
And every time I hear the song,
"Walking on Sunshine"
I think of meeting my Colonel again
at the Youth Convention
in Syracuse, NY.






Kathryn Thornton says
That's a beautiful story Lois! Awesome way to fall in love. You have a beautiful family:) Thanks for sharing your story, and so much more !
Diane Roark says
I love your story and I truly love your blog name Walking on Sunshine!
Blessings,
Diane Roark
Marlene Baird says
I guess it goes to show you that you really don't know someone unless you ask. I didn't ask but I read. a touchng story Marie.
Betsy Casey says
That's a great story. You seem like an amazing couple that are meant to be together!
Christina Conte says
You know, I wondered why, and I wonder no more! Brilliant story, Lois! 🙂
Gramma's Cooking Lives On says
Wonderful story. I enjoyed reading it.
Auntie Em Stanton says
So sweet! We have a long dating chapter of our love story too-- went to high school together, dated all through, and now just had our 32nd anniversary.
luv my 2 little guys says
I love this story!
janzi says
/what a lovely story, and knowing its true makes it more special, thank you for sharing Walking on Sunshine***
My Little Home and Garden says
That's such a lovely story.