David walked around the park, casually talking with his friend Ronnie. They'd been at the park for some time now, aimlessly wandering hoping for some fun or excitement, but not really expecting it. Wilkes-Barre was not exactly a booming metropolis with endless resources for adventures.

However, the morning had been warm, with a slight breeze drifting off the Susquehanna, and aching to be outside, David had called up Ronnie and asked him to meet him at the park.

At 25, David had not quite settled down. He tried it once, and failed miserably, but recovered and was on the lookout for a new romance. He had a nice job and a respectable background, minus his "crazy years" in college and knew that some day he'd find the right woman.

But today, he was just looking for some chance encounter that may or may not lead to a date later in the week.

As they circled the path of the park, David was drawn to a young blond, standing with some friends not 50 feet away. She looked to be about his age, was very pretty, and was absent of a ring. He was beginning to feel there was some potential to this situation.

Ronnie had also noticed the girl and was egging Dave on to say something to her. He finally caved in and the two made their way over to the potential date.

"Hello," Dave said casually. "I'm Dave Dugan, and this is Ronnie."

The girl smiled. "I'm Angel."

Dave smiled back, amused at the girl's name and not quite believing it to be true. They talked casually for a few moments, but nothing much amounted from the encounter but some laughter and a good story to tell his best friend Jack, later that evening.

Jack agreed with Dave that Angel was probably not the young woman's real name but was too busy getting a kick out of how he was trying to pick up girls in Kirby Park. Being a good friend, he just had to harangue Dave about his techniques for the next few weeks and the whole thing became a friendly joke.

Some time passed, with Dave not really giving Angel a second thought. One evening, Jack asked Dave if he wanted to go over to his girlfriend Maureen's house. Jack and Maureen had been together for a very long time, but Dave had yet to meet her. Realizing he hadn't much else to do, and wanting to meet Jack's girlfriend, he agreed to go.

They drove over to the house on South Street and knocked on the door. A girl of about 12 opened the door and grinning at Jack said, "You must be here for Maureen."

She stepped away from the door, letting the two young men in, and bellowing, "Mauree-een. You're BOY-friend's here!"

Jack turned to Dave and said, "Did I mention she had sisters?"

Dave smiled and waited with Jack, then laughed in surprise when he saw the equally shocked Maureen.

"Well, hello, Angel," Dave said. "Remember me?"

Maureen blushed, then went over to say hello to a very confused Jack.

Dave and Maureen quickly explained to Jack how they had met a few weeks ago, and that Maureen was the mysterious Angel from the park. Jack laughed, more at the thought of Maureen telling people her name was Angel, than anything. Fortunately, Jack was not a jealous man, nor did he lack a sense of humor, so he took the whole incident as a farce, and continues to enjoy telling the story of how Dave and Maureen first met.

Soon after the story was told, and they were seated, another young woman entered the room. She looked close to twenty, and was as pretty as her sister. She came in with smile, wanting to know what all of the commotion had been about, and took a seat on a chair near Maureen.

Maureen introduced her as Diane, her younger sister, and the foursome had a pleasant evening sitting around and talking and ended the evening by watching the classic movie "Day of the Trifids."

While "Angel" had not made a huge impression on Dave, Diane certainly did. Dave went with Jack to their house whenever he could and began to date Diane.

Their relationship blossomed as they got to know each other. They were practically inseparable as their relationship grew and they became even closer. They met each other's families where Dave's father and stepmother instantly liked Diane.

Despite the fact that Dave was 7 years older than Diane, and that he had been married before, Diane's usually conservative mother approved of and enjoyed Dave as well. Having Mom Panzarello's approval was the final catalyst that pushed Dave and Diane into having a very serious relationship.

The couple didn't make any serious plans, as Diane was still in college and Dave was busy trying to get his career off the ground. They stuck together, however, and following in the footsteps of Maureen and Jack, decided to get married.

Jack stood proudly beside Dave on the day of their wedding, and Maureen took her post next to Diane. Maureen and Jack truly earned their positions of matron of honor and best man, for without them, Dave and Diane would have never found each other.

After the ceremony, Diane danced in Dave's arms, looking radiant, and told him that she couldn't be happier.

Truly, it was a match made in heaven.