Most all of us have said with a laugh, “If my parents had not met, I would not be here.” It turns out that the day my parents met was St. Patrick’s Day. It was March 17, 1948, at a big celebratory weekend at what was then called The Missouri School of Mines, now Missouri University of Science and Technology, a flagship university dedicated to degrees in engineering and research.
The patron saint of engineers is St. Patrick. My dad was studying to be a civil engineer on a GI bill following World War II as an officer in the Army Corps of Engineers. My mother’s cousin in Rolla, Missouri convinced her to come in from Springfield, Missouri to go on a blind date. She was quite impressed with her blind date because he was one of three students who was honored by being “knighted by St. Pat.” This was followed by a weekend of parties, activities and fun. And my parents fell in love—as they say, almost at first sight. Later that year they married and my story unfolds a few years after that. The photo above is their wedding day.
Throughout my childhood, the day of March 17th was a red-letter day in our household. Each year, my parents hosted a big party. Dancing, good food and a signature Irish coffee drink were always on hand. They loved entertaining their friends, and guests loved being at my parents’ home for parties.
For those who are not engineers or Irish, St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated on March 17th to honor the patron saint of Ireland. According to tradition, St. Patrick brought Christianity to Ireland, used the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity and drove snakes from the island. Originally it was a solemn feast day, but it has evolved into a global celebration of Irish culture featuring parades, wearing green for good luck and lively festivities.
Perhaps it is the luck of the Irish that brought me into this world. I like to think so. And as my late husband always said, “If it’s not true it should be.”
“Erin go Bragh,” as they say in Ireland! (meaning “Ireland Forever”)
Gay Gaddis
Founder. Author. Artist. Trailblazer.
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