The Gorilla My Dreams
by John Vinopal
When I got married, I was 23 years old and had been dating my wife for four years. We met in college and I can barely remember life without her. I was an old man in comparison to my two brothers who were married before me. Both were barely drinking age when they took the plunge and were either madly in love or merely impatient.
Times have changed. Both of my kids are now in their 30s and have yet to tie the knot. My son was always the hopeless romantic and has loved and lost several times. He is now happily in a relationship that he describes simply by saying he wants to be with her more than anyone else for no other reason than the joy of her company.
My daughter, on the other hand, never seemed to have an interest in dating. She had plenty of friends who were boys— just no boyfriends. She was a much-focused individual during the age when most women perfect their flirting skills. If my daughter ever batted her eyes, that someone or a speck of dust was annoying her.
I’ve always tried to steer clear of my kid’s personal lives. My only interest was in their happiness. I just think life is more enjoyable if you have someone with which to share it. Your personal problems become less of a focus when you have someone else’s problems to distract you.
So shortly after my daughter moved to New York City to pursue her career in stand-up comedy, I was thrilled to learn she was dating one of her fellow comics; a handsome lad I happened to meet when I was last in The Big Apple. I remember asking my daughter about him, but at the time, he was just another friend who happened to be a boy. Well, to make a long story short, love bloomed and they are now living together— with a dog that they apparently love more than each other— and they are engaged to be married this spring. To make a short story a little longer, the father of the bride would like to share how their courtship became an engagement.
My future-son-in-law (FSIL) left no doubt of his intentions. On our first trip to NYC, he shook my hand and assured me he loved my daughter and was certain to marry her. About a year later, he was asking for my blessing. I don’t know why, but my initial response was, “Are you sure you want to do that? I’ve lived with her longer than you have and it ain’t easy!” I gladly gave him the blessing he sought, not knowing the means he had in mind to pop the question.
It involved a gorilla suit. As I understand the set-up, my FSIL bought the suit and proceeded to wear it for extended periods of time while he and my daughter were lazing around their apartment. The key to the proposal was to get my daughter comfortable with the fact her boyfriend had a thing about this gorilla suit. Why this didn’t send her running to the dating web sites in search of alternatives is a mystery.
On the big night, the happy couple made plans to rendezvous at one of their favorite restaurants. My FSIL enlisted the help of a friend of similar stature to wear the gorilla suit and greet my unsuspecting daughter. She fell for it completely, entering the restaurant laughing at the sight of her gorilla-clad boyfriend. As she sat down asking him if he had lost his mind, her real boyfriend entered the restaurant, seemingly upset she was two-timing him with another gorilla. Well, the laughs ensued throughout the restaurant and my FSIL got down on his knee and made it official.
From that point on, it has been clear my daughter and FSIL are not the traditional wedding types, and despite my wife’s claims that it is their day and they can arrange it as they see fit, she has encouraged our daughter to make plans beyond the reception (for my daughter’s generation, the most important part of any wedding). So I wait with checkbook at the ready and my heart filled with best wishes for my girl and FSIL. Marriage isn’t easy for anyone, but when you own a gorilla suit, I guess the bumps along the way will be easier to navigate.
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Can not be reproduced or used without written permission All rights reserved, copyright, 2015
by John Vinopal
When I got married, I was 23 years old and had been dating my wife for four years. We met in college and I can barely remember life without her. I was an old man in comparison to my two brothers who were married before me. Both were barely drinking age when they took the plunge and were either madly in love or merely impatient.
Times have changed. Both of my kids are now in their 30s and have yet to tie the knot. My son was always the hopeless romantic and has loved and lost several times. He is now happily in a relationship that he describes simply by saying he wants to be with her more than anyone else for no other reason than the joy of her company.
My daughter, on the other hand, never seemed to have an interest in dating. She had plenty of friends who were boys— just no boyfriends. She was a much-focused individual during the age when most women perfect their flirting skills. If my daughter ever batted her eyes, that someone or a speck of dust was annoying her.
I’ve always tried to steer clear of my kid’s personal lives. My only interest was in their happiness. I just think life is more enjoyable if you have someone with which to share it. Your personal problems become less of a focus when you have someone else’s problems to distract you.
So shortly after my daughter moved to New York City to pursue her career in stand-up comedy, I was thrilled to learn she was dating one of her fellow comics; a handsome lad I happened to meet when I was last in The Big Apple. I remember asking my daughter about him, but at the time, he was just another friend who happened to be a boy. Well, to make a long story short, love bloomed and they are now living together— with a dog that they apparently love more than each other— and they are engaged to be married this spring. To make a short story a little longer, the father of the bride would like to share how their courtship became an engagement.
My future-son-in-law (FSIL) left no doubt of his intentions. On our first trip to NYC, he shook my hand and assured me he loved my daughter and was certain to marry her. About a year later, he was asking for my blessing. I don’t know why, but my initial response was, “Are you sure you want to do that? I’ve lived with her longer than you have and it ain’t easy!” I gladly gave him the blessing he sought, not knowing the means he had in mind to pop the question.
It involved a gorilla suit. As I understand the set-up, my FSIL bought the suit and proceeded to wear it for extended periods of time while he and my daughter were lazing around their apartment. The key to the proposal was to get my daughter comfortable with the fact her boyfriend had a thing about this gorilla suit. Why this didn’t send her running to the dating web sites in search of alternatives is a mystery.
On the big night, the happy couple made plans to rendezvous at one of their favorite restaurants. My FSIL enlisted the help of a friend of similar stature to wear the gorilla suit and greet my unsuspecting daughter. She fell for it completely, entering the restaurant laughing at the sight of her gorilla-clad boyfriend. As she sat down asking him if he had lost his mind, her real boyfriend entered the restaurant, seemingly upset she was two-timing him with another gorilla. Well, the laughs ensued throughout the restaurant and my FSIL got down on his knee and made it official.
From that point on, it has been clear my daughter and FSIL are not the traditional wedding types, and despite my wife’s claims that it is their day and they can arrange it as they see fit, she has encouraged our daughter to make plans beyond the reception (for my daughter’s generation, the most important part of any wedding). So I wait with checkbook at the ready and my heart filled with best wishes for my girl and FSIL. Marriage isn’t easy for anyone, but when you own a gorilla suit, I guess the bumps along the way will be easier to navigate.
Back to John's Page
Can not be reproduced or used without written permission All rights reserved, copyright, 2015