<Begin Segment 17>

TI: Before we go there, so you mentioned when he came back, there was a picture of him holding your child, Carol. So let's go back, because you got married during the war. And so you mentioned how you met your husband on the ship, but you said at that point there was nothing that happened, or no attraction. So when did the two of you start dating?

KT: Oh. Yeah, it's a funny thing, you know. I was standing in my house veranda, and I saw two boys walking. And I look at them, "Hey, that guy, I know. I met him someplace." So I went out to see who it was, and that was my husband.

TI: And what's his name?

KT: Larry.

TI: Larry, okay.

KT: Tanimoto. Yeah, Larry. His Japanese name is Isao, but we call him Larry. He was with his friend, they were walking to go down to Hilo. That's how I met again. And so he started coming around. And I asked him to drive for me, and he taught me how to drive, and I got my license.

TI: And so when did the two of you start dating, that you got interested?

KT: Oh, right after that, I think. So it's '41 or early '42.

TI: And then how long before you got married?

KT: In '43. Year and a half, I think. 1943, yeah.

TI: Now, did you, before you got married, did you ask permission from your mother?

KT: No, I didn't ask anything. [Laughs] I gave them the surprise.

TI: So was it a big surprise when you decided to get married?

KT: My mother was, she knew what is love. She gave me the blessing. She did everything for me. I'm really grateful for her.

TI: And when your father came home, did he know that you were married and had a baby?

KT: I think he knew already.

TI: And so he looked happy holding his grandchild.

KT: Yeah. My sister's baby, boy, a little younger than her. My brother carried her.

TI: Good.

<End Segment 17> - Copyright © 2010 Densho. All Rights Reserved.