A Dance With a King!

Dave was a senior and I was a sophomore in 1973. I always noticed him leaning against the wall by the Shop Classroom, as I went to my Home Economics class. I would smile and say hi, and he would smile back. Dave was very shy and I was extremely outgoing. I guess you could say we were opposites in many ways.
I attended the prom dance in 1973 as a favor to a friend who's brother didn't have a date. My father did not approve of me dating older boys. To this day, I still don't know how or why he let me go, but without this prom, I wouldn't have our love story to tell.

The night of prom, Dave was voted the prom king. My shy "shop boy" sitting at a table, somehow gave me the courage to ask him to dance. We danced the night away. It was definitely a night to remember. Unfortunately, Dave graduated and we never really talked that much, but I never forgot our dance and I guess he didn't either.
The summer of 1973, I was very busy with cheerleading practice and looking forward to my Junior year. One early morning, at about 7:00, Dave called and asked me to go to the movies. Because he worked on his family's dairy farm, this was the best time for him to call. Dave was 18 and I had just turned 16. My dad was half asleep when I asked for his permission. He said yes, thinking it was Dave's younger brother. I wasn't going to offer any extra information, because I had a date with the Prom King!

After a few weeks of dating, I decided it was time to introduce him to my parents. My father, realizing he had confused the two brothers, was not very happy about the age difference. It took some convincing from my brother Larry, who told my dad what a great guy Dave was, to get an approval. The rest is history.
We dated four more years and married on September 4th, 1976. This year, we will celebrate our 49th wedding anniversary.

As my 1975 class prophecy had stated, I would have lots of little Japp's running around. We were definitely blessed with 4 children and 6 grandchildren. We love to travel and go to our grandchildren's school activities. Dave retired in 2020 from Cargill after 26 years, but continues to stay busy, working on our acreage. I used my sewing talents, thanks to my Home Economics class, and specialized in bridal wear and alterations. In 2016, I became a caregiver for my elderly parents and started a new career as a Realtor with Nebraska Realty.

Who knew that 52 years ago, dancing with a king, would change our lives forever!