Henry Kalbarezyk & Rita Madden
It all began when my dad was visiting a neighbor in Kulpmont named Helena who used to live next door to his mother. Helena and Rita Madden were friends and while in church, Rita asked one day if she ever knew what happened to Henry Kalbarczyk (my dad). Helena said that he comes over almost every summer to visit her from Michigan. Rita said next time he comes to visit, she would like to see him.
July 1, 2011, in Kulpmont, my dad was reunited with his love, Rita, after 66 years.
They spent the day together talking and visiting with Helena and her husband. The next day, Henry had to travel back to Michigan and they spoke to each other every day on the telephone.
Rita said that she never quit thinking about him. Rita had been married for 58 years and had four children - two boys and two girls. She had lost her husband four years ago before reuniting with Henry.
My dad (Henry) returned to Pennsylvania Aug. 20, 2011, to pick up Rita and bring her back to Michigan. They have since traveled up north and out west together.
And so the story goes. They will continue to stay at each other's houses to visit as "First Loves" forever.
Susan Ringes and Debbie Martin.