Hal and Ronda King

Approximate Date of the Photo
July 10, 1983

Where in Balboa Park was this photo taken
Cafe Del Rey Moro.(Prada)

Share your Love Story
Hal and I met in 1980 at the Monterrey Whaling Company in Mission Valley. A very popular group Ole Ridge was playing, they had a big following . Sparks happened that night, we had so much in common. Hal was born and raised in Chula Vista and was a Chula Vista Police Officer. He followed his father footsteps who was a lieutenant in the CVPD. I was from the Imperial Valley in the small farming town of Holtville. I worked for the Phone Company as a telephone operator and transferred to San Diego. We both loved the out doors, water sports, camping and riding motorcycles. I had my own Hobie Cat catamaran. I was the only girl on Mission Bay that had her own boat. That was back in the day you could leave your boat on the beach. I soon taught Hal how to sail and he loved it also. After three years of dating we decided to get married.

As the Bride, my dream was to get married in Balboa Park. My grandfather had helped build the streets for the Panama California Exposition, now 100 years ago.. I felt that the park was a part of my family history and it is so beautiful. In the 80's weddings were simple. My dress was $75.00. The ceremony and dinner was outside below the restaurant on the patio with the wishing well.. July 10th 1983 happened to be the hottest day ever in San Diego close to 100 degrees . We had several problems. First the bride had Mono!! It was so hot the jello melted. The cake looked like the leaning tower of Pisa. In the ceremony the pastor forgot the ring part. He just said" you can kiss the bride now."I said "What about the ring?" Everyone laughed. We did a balloon release and they got caught in the eucalyptus trees. It was so hot no one ate the food. That was the year they invented the Long Island Ice Tea. The bartender was very busy and everyone one was so happy.. We had one of the first video cameras. Our friend taped it. We erased it accidental when we were watching it later.

Hal drove me away in his 1962 Corvette for a one night stay at the Hotel Del Coronado.. We had dinner at the Boathouse and had a wonderful night at the hotel. To this day I remember in the garden was the smell of gardenia's. The smell of gardenias will always bring me back to my honeymoon. Unfortunately the next morning I was sicker than a dog. Their wasn't air conditioning in the hotel and I just wanted to go home and go to bed..My dream of enjoying the gorgeous pool was out the door.

As a florist I have done several weddings. There are always problems, but its ok..You look back and just laugh. My wedding was the perfect wedding for me. Hal and will be married 32 years this year and live in Chula Vista. We celebrate by going out to dinner and always go to the Prado for a after dinner drink and dessert. We look out and reminisce about our wedding and laugh. I tell the Bridle parties that are having their weddings, that I was married there over 30 years ago and we're still together. This place will bring you good luck.

Name of the Photographer
Don't remember