When Andy Layman was in the Navy stationed in Pt. Mugu, his mom, Frances, set him up on a blind date with his soon-to-be wife Rose Marie Caruso. Frances was working in the Santa Monica Mal-bu School District. Rose Marie was working in the business office of the district. Frances had no idea just how far their connection would take them.
Over 53 years later, the pair are happily married, and overjoyed at the prospect of spending the rest of their lives together.
Andy spent his childhood in a wide variety of states – West Virginia, Ohio, Florida, and finally California, where he lived in Santa Monica. Rose Marie grew up in Santa Monica too, and that shared aspect of their past ultimately became the shared home of their future – the city in which they continue to live today. They have found a community in St. Monica Catholic Church, where they often contribute their time.
In fact, their very wedding took place there. It followed an incred-bly unique proposal orchestrated by Andy and his mother who played such a significant role in bringing the pair together in the first place. It was Christmas, 1970, and Andy and his mom came to celebrate with Rose Marie’s parents, Mike and Rose, at their house. Andy was bearing a gift – a very long ski bag stuffed with paper and only one ski. To her surprise, a ring was hidden at the bottom of the bag – Andy’s unique way of asking her to marry him.
The following August, their wedding took place at St. Monica Church. It was a very hot day – a far cry from the cool December setting of their engagement – but Rose Marie shared that the ceremony was beautiful, and that they were able to include every member of their family. The reception took place later at the Riviera Country Club, where approximately 200 guests danced the night away.
The couple has been deeply involved in the Santa Monica community for as long as they’ve lived there, and it’s clear from all that they do, the city is lucky to have them.
Rose Marie left her job at the school district to raise her family.
When Andy started his own businesses, she began working with him. Active in many community organizations, Andy was President of the Santa Monica Board of Realtors. He had owned Layman Financial Services, Inc. for over 20 years prior to owning and operating Venice Beach Suites and Hotel until its sale in 2019.
The couple are delighted to have two children, Mike and Monica who each have a boy and a girl. Mike lives in Florida, and Monica lives in Santa Monica.
We wish Andy and Rose Marie all the best in the years to come, and are forever inspired by both their dedication to each other and the strength of their love.
By Gigi Appelbaum-Schwartz
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