Cameos In Their Children’s Play Helped These Parents Find Love

For this month's Love In A Small Town feature, we asked Patch readers to tell us the story behind their romantic chance encounters. This is Randy Dautel's story:

“In 1985 I was a single parent with an 11-year-old daughter and a 9-year-old son. Our church was preparing to put on a production of ‘The Sound of Music’ for our community. My daughter wanted to try out for a part in the show, so I went with her and waited while she auditioned.

While I was waiting, I was approached to also be in the show. I said I could not sing or dance, so I did not feel qualified. I was asked if I would help build scenery and risers. Since I was a mechanic and a jack of all trades around the house I said sure. I was to come for three hours on Saturday mornings and Wednesday evenings while rehearsal was going on.

One Wednesday evening, the choreographer asked if any men who were building sets would please join the cast for a short scene in the show. None of us moved. She was sincerely pleading and after several minutes I said I would. Three weeks of construction was starting to get old.

I walked out with two other fellows into the hallway where three women were waiting, and we were told to pair up. One of the women chose me because I was taller than she was. My daughter who has talent sadly did not get a part in the show, yet here I was in it.

We would be in the opening of a party scene where we would waltz around the stage one-and-a-half times and then fade into background. It was a 20-second part. Now we had to be at the rehearsals for the three hours to be ready when our part was needed.

Toni was a single mom with a 5-year-old daughter. We had almost six hours a week for five weeks to get to know each other in a casual setting. It was very easy and pleasant getting to know her. There were three shows and we hugged before going out on stage the first time. Now, since I can hardly dance, my part truly was acting for me. But together we looked good on stage and felt good inside.

We went together to the cast party after the last show. We had a good time with the cast and they sensed that something special was happening to us. When I drove her home, we kissed and planned to see each other again.

Toni was dealing with her invalid mother, and I was working through my divorce. But we were very much in love, and we married in 1989. We took the house that I lived in and have made it into our home. Blending two families with three children is an effort, and our love helped bring us through it.

Our children have since finished college, and we are now on our own. We have more time to travel since retiring five years ago and have been to Europe, Jamaica, Central America, Mexico, and several places around the U.S. Every experience we have is a warm memory of our love and of being together.”

—Randy Dautel

See all Patch "chance encounters" here.

For next month's Love In A Small Town feature, we want to help you give Mom the best Mother's Day gift ever. Write her a heartfelt letter to tell her how much she means to you, email it to locallove@patch.com and we'll feature it in your town's newsfeed on Mother's Day. Get more details here.

Image Credit: Randy Dautel