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Perry Fotos and his wife married in 1953
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Perry and Connie Fotos on their wedding day in 1953.
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Connie Costan and I met at an outing of Greek families back in 1937.
Connie was 3. I was 7. But for some reason, we liked each other very much. She was so tiny that I would shield her from the older kids.
Fast forward now to 1950. Twenty years old, I was sitting at a piano in our church hall after a Greek Orthodox Youth Association meeting when a cute 16-year-old said “Are you Perry Fotos?”
I said, “Yes.”
She said, “I’m Connie.”
I fell deeply in love at that moment. Later that evening I was sitting with about six other guys and they said, “Has anyone met that cute Connie?” To get rid of the competition, I said that I was going “steady” with Connie even thought I’d just met her!
Smart boy that Perry (always, always get rid of the competition)! Little did they know that we hadn’t dated yet.
Connie and I married on May 9, 1953. We lived in Chicago for the first two years. Then, to Skokie for 15 years. Then, to Glenview, Ill., until July 4, 1988, when we permanently moved to Naples.
It has been wonderful 55 years. It’s difficult to comprehend that we’ve been together 20,075 days and nights.
Isn’t love grand?
You betcha.
— Perry Fotos is founder of Perry Fotos and his Big Band, which plays Naples and WHAT. Today is the Fotos’ 55th anniversary.
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Got a story to tell? To be considered for My Story, send a tale of no more than 250 words to tmmartinez@naplesnews.com or T.D. Mobley-Martinez, Naples Daily News, 1075 Central Ave., Naples, Fla., 34102. It can describe just about any important personal experience — something about your best friend in boot camp, your mother’s cooking, your trip down Mt. Everest. Please include contact information as well as a brief description of yourself. Photos are welcome and will be returned with a self-addressed stamped envelope. Stories may be edited for style and clarity.
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