The Time of My Life (29 page)

I loved football and even thought I might play in college. But one fateful game changed my life forever.

Little Lisa Haapaniemi, already a dancer at age three.

The Nordic brood gathers: the Haapaniemi family. Edmond, Sr.; Paul; Alex; Ed; Lisa; John; grandmother Aili; Eric; and mom, Karin.

Teenaged Lisa was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen. If only I could figure out how to talk to her.

In the Disney on Parade traveling show in the early 1970s, I played Prince Charming.

Lisa moved to New York in the summer of 1974. We shared the dream of becoming top-flight ballet dancers.

Keeping my knee in dance shape was a constant challenge. Here, I’m lifting weights among the cabinets Lisa and I built in our small New York apartment.

My Honda 750 was our main mode of transportation, even for cross-country trips.

At our wedding in June 1975. This was the only moment during the ceremony that Lisa smiled—when she had trouble getting the ring on my finger.

Short on money, we held the reception at my mom’s dance studio.

Toasting the bride. It took years before I was convinced she really did love me as much as I loved her.

Lisa backstage, dressed for her part in
Hellzapoppin
’, starring Jerry Lewis.