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Love: Esther Madie Jacobs & Benjamin Franklin Watts Sr.
Sept. 20, 2008, in Haddonfield
Hello there
Esther, 79, and Ben, 78, met in October 2007, waiting for the casino bus to Atlantic City. Esther was taking the bus frequently, often without ever entering a casino. "I love the Shore, I love the water, I love the sun," she said.That day in October, Ben strode across the parking lot to where Esther was talking to some friends. "He extended his hand to me and introduced himself as Benjamin Watts. I said, 'I'm Esther,' and that was the end of it. We got on the bus, and I sat behind the bus driver, doing a crossword puzzle." Esther was married once, a long time ago, and hadn't really dated since. "I wasn't interested in meeting anybody," she said.
But Ben, a widower, was very interested in getting to know Esther. The next week, she was in her usual seat when he boarded the bus, and Ben asked if he could sit next to her. "I just said yes. I don't know why," Esther remembered. "He started to talk, and was talking, talking, talking all the way down the Shore. I couldn't say one word." That trip, they realized they had something in common: Both have sons in law enforcement. The next bus trip, Ben took Esther to lunch. "Maybe I'll see you next week?" he asked afterward. "We'll see," Esther said. He did. And he joined her on her beach walk. Ben and Esther had wonderful conversation. She found out that he had seen her three times before he got up the nerve to introduce himself. "He is so sweet. He's a gentleman through and through, and he's got a great sense of humor - there is always a smile on his face." They've been walking together ever since.
How does forever sound?
"He was after me after the first month, 'When are we going to get married?' Esther said. In January 2008 - after at least four proposals - Esther said yes. Ben was confident she would, sooner or later.
"It was through his efforts that we finally set a date, but I'm very, very happy with Ben. I don't think it could be any other way," Esther said. "I wouldn't be lost without him, but life would be incomplete without him."
At home
Esther, who has recently retired from her work at a senior citizens residence, has a home in Collingswood. Ben, who served in the Army in both Korea and Vietnam and retired as a master sergeant, has a home in Haddon Township. The couple split their time between the two residences.
It was so them
Esther and Ben had a garden wedding at the home of her son and daughter-in-law, Brian Jacobs and Lisa Rodriguez Jacobs. They were married by U.S. District Court Judge Joseph H. Rodriguez - Lisa's father. Judge Rodriguez's wife, Barbara, was matron of honor. "She's like a sister to me," Esther said.
There were key roles for other family members as well. Ben's son, Michael, served as best man. His grandson, David Watts, 9, was a ring bearer, as was Esther's grandson, Quinn Jacobs, 14. Conner Jacobs, 15, was an usher.
Granddaughter Taylor Jacobs - who nominated her grandmother and Ben for this column - was flower girl. Taylor, 12, asked for the job. "I figure if she's not too old to be a bride, I'm not too old to be a flower girl," Taylor said.
This didn't happen at rehearsal
Immediately after Ben and Esther were pronounced husband and wife, Ben opened his suit jacket and revealed to their guests his Bugs Bunny tie. First, there was stunned silence, then an eruption of laughter.
Awestruck
"The moment that moved me was when Ben put the ring on my finger, when he committed himself to the fact that he would be my true, loyal husband," Esther said.
Discretionary spending
Esther had no idea, because Brian and Lisa handled everything. So we asked Lisa.
A bargain: A friend of Lisa's cousin got the flowers for the tables at a discount produce place and arranged them herself. "They were beautiful, and they probably cost a quarter of what we would have spent on a florist," Lisa said.
The splurge: A six-piece band, with a Frank Sinatra-style singer. Not only did it get everyone dancing, but Ben, who is a drummer, got up and played with the band while Esther "looked so proud," Lisa said. The band cost about twice as much as a DJ but was well worth it, she said.
The getaway
