On October 8, 1990, Lloyd Sommerer and Lauren Hofman hosted Casino Night for Concordia College’s homecoming week. We had worked and planned for quite some time on it. (Back story: Lloyd claims that he loved me when he met me. I did not. Sorry, man.) Every so often during our planning he would do some little thing that made my cold, crusty heart crack a little. Even so, we were just friends.
Then, on the night of our grand casino event – which was a 1920’s speakeasy held secretly in the basement of a dorm with professors dressed in appropriate garb hosting gambling games – a dozen roses was delivered down the steps. I was upset because I had not authorized this expenditure, and what the heck were these roses even for? The piano (which was playing awesome ragtime music)??
I turned to my co-host: “What are those roses for??”
Co-host: “They’re for you.”
Me: “Oh.”
I took them and headed to the laundry room to gather my thoughts. (I think best around appliances.)
Um, I guess I loved him.
Wait – yeah. I loved him.
Huh.
Hey, Lloyd. I love you.
Brad says
love and cluelessness…
Hey, that would make a good soap opera title.
Lauren's dad says
Hmmm! Good picture! Better subjects! You both look so young!
Lauren says
*Sigh* Yes, we look so young. It’s a yearbook photo from the casino night -- we were going for ‘swanky’ that night.
Peggy says
So you didn’t start dating until you were juniors…I just always assumed it was as freshmen.
Lauren says
We were all friends as freshman -- (Lloyd & Co. since high school freshmen). I had never hung out with boys before in high school, and those St. Paul kids were such a crazy group -- I wanted to be a part of that.
Peggy says
I’m so excited that you like ‘crazy’! The number one comment in my HS yearbook was…’I’ve never met anyone as crazy as you.’ I thought — Yikes! People think I’m crazy?…Ahhhhhh!
People who have contacted me thru facebook from HS & even elementary school ask--‘Are you still crazy?’ WHAT?!?
Well, if I am…at least now I can feel cool!
Deborah says
I remember that evening. I was a freshman and you guys were SO COOL. Little did I know. . .
Lauren says
Ouch. The truth -- it hurts.
Deborah says
Um. . . I was not a freshman, but a sophomore. I must have still felt like a freshman.
Kristi says
Actually, I was a freshman. That was one cool night. Wasn’t there a raid on the joint, too?
Peggy says
That is a GREAT picture!! I hope it’s hanging in your house somewhere!
Happy 20 years! And Awww Lloyd…you old romantic you!
Gretchen says
I was a freshman but I did not go to Casino night. I think I was too much of a geek. What was I doing -- back in the dorm doing calculus? studying organic chemistry? Hmmmm….I do remember being in New Orleans for a short trip during homecoming week. Maybe that is it. Let’s hope so. It makes for a much more interesting excuse than homework.
christina says
I remember shopping for Lauren’s dress and making Lloyd’s suit for that gala! My friends thought I was nuts because occasionally I would walk out of my room wearing a man’s suit and ask my friend if it looked right…..
Lauren says
You made that suit? I stand in awe of you -- you have amazing talent!