Love, Dublin Style

In the 1970s, the Dublin/Pleasanton area was a little different than it is now.

Terri Oravetz recalls being a teenager who often would run across "Highway 680" (then a two-way road) to visit some of her friends in Pleasanton. Kids at that time also were known to hitchhike around Dublin and Pleasanton because not many teens had cars.

Friday nights were the time to hit the rollerskating rink at the fairgrounds. You also might catch a movie at the drive-in, which sat where Rigatoni's is today. If you wanted to go shopping, you would have to drive all the way to Sunvalley Mall in Concord or Southland Mall in Hayward.

was a little bit different in the '70s as well. You might imagine a tiny campus, but, in fact, Dublin High had a population of about 2,500 students. The Dublin High campus was attended by Dublin and Pleasanton kids since Foothill High School had not yet been built. 

Terri remembers it being a closed campus at lunch, complete with a "smokers' corner."  There were the usual cliques: cheerleaders, jocks, stoners. What was more interesting to her was the fact that Dublin High was sort of segregated. You had the Pleasanton kids who associated mainly with Pleasanton kids and you had the Dublin kids who did the same. 

This is why Terri never came across long-haired hippie Tony Oravetz at Dublin High. She was from Pleasanton and he was from Dublin. 

It wouldn't be until after high school when a friend asked her to go to a party that Terri's and Tony's paths would cross. Terri had no intention of going to this party, but her friend had begged her. You see, Terri's friend had her sights set on Tony's roommate. So Terri went reluctantly and met Tony. Something clicked at that first meeting and they decided to go on a date.

Their first date was a Seal's hockey game. Their seats were way up in the nose-bleed section of the Coliseum, where you couldn't even see the puck. Terri said she's pretty sure this is why she can't stand hockey to this day.

Tony and Terri always have had a shared love of sports (except hockey). They agree to disagree about politics because Tony went from a peace and love hippie to a more straight-laced Republican. He served on Dublin's City Council from 2000 to 2008. 

Terri and Tony will celebrate their 35th anniversary in September. They raised their son, Greg, in Dublin. He graduated from Dublin High in 2001 and now teaches there.

When asked their secret to a long lasting marriage, Terri and Tony agree it is equal parts common interests, patience, agreeing to disagree, love, friendship and, of course, humor. This definitely seems like a recipe for happiness.