Love Story: They were 'set up' for life in the high school lunchroom

Susan Hill of Franklin Square recalls how she met her future husband, Dennis.

It was in May 1976 at H. Frank Carey High School in Franklin Square when a mutual acquaintance told my future husband, Dennis, that I wanted to meet him. She then told me that Dennis wanted to meet me. We didn’t realize she was setting us up when she introduced us in the lunchroom.

A couple of weeks later, Dennis asked me to our junior prom, our very first date. He lived in Garden City South. I lived in Franklin Square. We became a steady couple.

Dennis told me he planned to join the Marine Corps after high school. We graduated in June 1977, and Dennis left for Parris Island, South Carolina, for basic training in the fall. At 17, I didn’t comprehend the extent of his decision, the impact it would have on my life nor the sacrifice Dennis would be making to serve his country.

We communicated as often as we could, mostly through the mail. I treasured his letters. I traveled with his parents to his graduation from boot camp, where he was recognized as squad leader of his class.

Marriage was far from my mind when Dennis proposed to me by telephone that December. I said sure, still having no idea what that meant.

We married on Sept. 24, 1978, at St. Catherine of Sienna Church in Franklin Square. Our reception was held at Koenig’s, a catering hall in Floral Park. We then left for the Marine Corps Air Station at Cherry Point, North Carolina. Since I had never been away from my parents and seven siblings, you can imagine my surprise that I was now living in an apartment, which was a converted potato bin, in a rural part of North Carolina.

In September 1979, Dennis was deployed to the Azores for a three-month tour and I returned to Long Island. When I told my mom I did not want to go back, she said I had to go back to be with Dennis.

Soon after returning to base, we learned I was pregnant and that Dennis was being assigned to Japan for a year. He would miss our baby’s arrival. He left in February 1980, and I went back to Long Island.

That September, three weeks before my expected due date, Dennis called my parents’ house at 3 a.m. My mom said I was in the hospital having the baby. The Red Cross was contacted, and Dennis’ journey home began. Three days later, he surprised me in the hospital and met our daughter!

He stayed with us for a week before returning to base. The remainder of his assignment in Japan had been canceled. We decided that the baby and I would remain with my family. Once a month Dennis traveled to Long Island for weekend visits until he was honorably discharged as a sergeant in August 1981.

In 1984 we purchased our first home in Franklin Square. When I made the decision to attend college, Dennis helped with the housework and our growing family while I studied. We were both also working and juggling life’s priorities. I received my bachelor’s degree in business administration from New York Institute of Technology in Old Westbury.

Dennis retired in 2011 from the Nassau County Sheriff’s Department after 28 years of dedicated service. I am the human resources manager at Sperry Federal Credit Union in Garden City Park.

We are blessed with four beautiful children, two amazing sons-in-law, an awesome future daughter-in-law and three phenomenal grandbabies.

Our children surprised us recently with a 40th anniversary party at Uncle Bacala’s restaurant in Garden City Park, surrounded by family and friends. Dennis and I also plan to celebrate with a trip to Italy next year.

Dennis, I thank and love you for always being my best friend and supporting me yesterday, today and tomorrow! Happy 40th anniversary to us!

— With Virginia Dunleavy