Linda, if you read this, update us all on the ramp proposal

Q I proposed in 1980 at the stoplight at El Camino Real and Showers Drive in Mountain View. I was 25. My girlfriend laughed as she thought I was joking. We had never discussed marriage during the three years we were dating and living together. I guess I had some confused puppy dog look on my face when she laughed and she realized I was wasn’t joking. Didn’t have a ring, either. Not the smartest knife in the drawer when it comes to romance. — Joey

A

This thread was prompted by Louise Lamp of San Jose, whose hubby proposed to her many years ago on the Hollywood Freeway. As for Joey, he says he’s “still happily married today.”

Q

Here’s the story about my marriage proposal.

I proposed to Bob Welker on July 4, 1976, on the 101 Freeway to San Francisco. Bob was telling me about his ex-girlfriend, whom he’d dated for three years. When they talked about marriage, she told him, “If I marry you, I will keep my last name.” I responded, “Really! Well, I’d be honored to be Mrs. Robert Welker.”

Bob became so flustered he did not pay attention to his speed when all of a sudden he was brought back to the present moment when he heard the siren and was pulled over for his very first speeding ticket. So you see, I did propose to Bob. We were married July 2, 1977, and I’m proud to be Mrs. Robert Welker. — Anne Welker

A And he should be proud of you.

Q Your recent column about proposals reminded me of my favorite proposal story, which was when the words “Linda I’ll Love You Forever” appeared on the ramp from the 85 Freeway south to the 237 Freeway. The ramp and its love letter long since have been repaved, but the memory of the proposal makes me smile every time I drive on that ramp.

— Allan Hurst, Sunnyvale

A Linda, if you read this, please update us.

Q You published my question and very interesting answer a short time ago, and I wanted to let you know the outcome. I wrote about a personalized license plate request that was denied by the DMV due to the content being offensive, SHARX88, for Shark hockey player Brent Burns It blew my mind that the number 88 is commonly associated with white supremacists.

So I tried again with Joe Thornton’s number 19 instead. SHARX19 passed DMV’s scrutiny and was delivered to my local DMV office in San Mateo last week. On Monday, I arrived about 45 minutes before doors opening without an appointment. My assigned number was called about 30 minutes after doors opening and I was done by 8:30 a.m. New plates are on the car, look great and show my pride in our Sharks.

— John Dolan,

San Mateo

A Gotta keep the DMV and Sharks fans happy.