Tom and I met in 1973 at a summer poolside "Hoagie Happening" party in Redmond. At the time, I was a crafter at Pike Place Market in Seattle, making sand candles. Tom's praises boosted my confidence in my craft – however, that did not translate into sales.

As Christmas time approached, Tom invited me to his family's Christmas Eve dinner. I wanted to make a good impression on Tom's parents. I remembered my etiquette to bring a hostess gift, wore the new green dress that I bought at Sears, and was my "artist self"!

Tom being unpretentious, had not described his family's 'classy' Medina home to m...