One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight
shlemiel, schlimazel, hasenpfeffer incorporated
We’re gonna do it

Before Daniel LaRusso, before Alex P Keaton, before Mike Seaver and before any of the Huxtable clan, there was Laverne DeFazio.

I first met Laverne on “Happy Days.” Laverne and her BFF, Shirley, had a double date with The Fonz and Richie. Laverne and Shirley were likable, relatable, and left the audience wanting more. After five more appearances on “Happy Days” a spinoff was made, and well, the rest is history.

Give us any chance, we’ll take it
Read us any rule, we’ll break it
We’re gonna make our dreams come true
Doin’ it our way

As young girls, my sister and I would watch religiously. By its third season, Laverne & Shirley became the most watched American program, which would lead them to be nominated for two Golden Globes and an Emmy.

None of that matters to me. For both me and my sister Laverne & Shirley meant more to us than any fancy awards. Two young little girls trying to find our place.

Nothin’s gonna turn us back now
Straight ahead and on the track now
We’re gonna make our dreams come true
Doin’ it our way

My sister would always be Laverne, as they were both the more outgoing flirty one, and I would be Shirley, the shyer prudish one.

We would mimic their dance moves every time there was a show to put on at Shotz Brewery, and both my sister and I would root for a lifelong Shirley and Carmine romance.

There is nothing we won’t try
Never heard the word impossible
This time there’s no stopping us
We’re gonna do it

Of course, Laverne, also known as the incredible Penny Marshall went on to do bigger and some would say better things. But, not to my sister and I.

No. Larven & Shirley, to us, was so much more than a show. It touched our lives. I remember one time I was watching the show, this was when they moved to Burbank and had the new opening to the show. I saw both Laverne and Shirley wearing cute summer dresses and skirts. I remember thinking “Maybe if I wore a skirt like they do they people won’t be able to tell how fat I am.”

When our parents took us school shopping, I made to sure to incorporate a few skirts.

On your mark, get set, and go now
Got a dream and we just know now
We’re gonna make that dream come true
And we’ll do it our way, yes our way
Make all our dreams come true
And we’ll do it our way, yes our way
Make all our dreams come true
For me and you

So many memories behind that show.

Laverne DeFazio passed away today, and my heart broke a little.

Joe always tells me he does not care about celebrities, they are nothing to him.

“Well, that’s only because you have not found the one that has impacted.”

So tonight, as Laverne DeFazio is at her brewery in the sky, I will raise my glass of milk and Pepsi and Salute one of the best.