Video Valentines
Love, Cameras, and a 42-Year Adventure: Our Journey in Video Production
42 years ago, on Valentine’s Day, the magic of our story unfolded on the balcony of La Paloma Theater in Encinitas. Picture this as a poignant scene in the grand play of life – a play we were about to become a part of.
I, a singer in the Chorus, found myself on that balcony, gazing down at the empty theater, lost in my thoughts. Little did I know, this was the moment our paths would cross.
Mark, with his video camera on a tripod, was setting up for the play titled “Pandora: If Transformation is Supposed to be So Much Fun why am I Gritting My Teeth?” – a special performance on Valentine’s Day, dedicated to the Hunger Project. Mark had just started his video production company a few months earlier. He called it Crystal Pyramid Productions.
Our eyes met, and a connection sparked. Video cameras were a rarity back then, marking the early days of the video production industry. Intrigued, I approached Mark to explore his video gear, and that’s when our story began.
On St. Patrick’s Day, we bought backpacks, sleeping bags, and a tent. April Fools Day saw us boarding a jet bound for the South Pacific, embarking on an adventure through Tahiti and New Zealand. Fiji became our final stop before returning home, ready to commit our lives to each other.
We highly recommend experiencing a honeymoon before marriage, observing each other in diverse situations. It’s a part of why our relationship has thrived for over four decades.
As we celebrate 42 years in 2024, we stand as husband-and-wife, best friends, lovers, and soulmates. It hasn’t always been a path of roses and champagne. We’ve had our disagreements, but we quickly find common ground, ensuring our relationship stays fun.
Our Guide to Love:
- Greet the day with a kiss.
- Say “I love you” every day.
- Give lots of hugs and kisses throughout the day.
- Don’t go to bed angry; embrace each other before sleeping. Be willing to be the first to say “I’m sorry, I was wrong.”
- Always communicate.
- Avoid keeping secrets, except those related to surprises like birthday or Valentine’s Day gifts.
- Embrace new adventures – travel, learn to dance, take a cooking class.
- Achieve big goals as a team. Our recent accomplishment: “Nectarball: The Story of Cannabis,” an 82-minute documentary.
- Enjoy your hometown’s amenities – art, culture, music, theater.
- Be each other’s greatest advocate.
