From Prom to Parenthood: The Goodman Family Origins

In this special episode of the Goodman Family Oral History Podcast, host Tonya is joined by her parents, Ruth and Thomas, and her brother, Tommy, for a heartwarming and often hilarious walk down memory lane. The family revisits their roots in Virginia Beach, sharing the story of Ruth and Thomas’s whirlwind courtship, an unconventional proposal, and a modest wedding with a red dress and boots. We learn about Thomas’s time in the Army, his near brush with Vietnam, and how the family moved from place to place—from Fort Eustis to Fort Story—building memories and resilience.

Ruth recalls her experience giving birth in a Catholic hospital where the nuns were less than empathetic, and the special bond Tonya shared with her grandmother. The episode takes a nostalgic turn as the family reminisces about the joys and struggles of military housing, plastic-covered furniture, latchkey kids, and growing up surrounded by woods, neighborhood friends, and unsupervised adventures.

We hear about childhood antics, including Tonya’s infamous “lost key", as well as Tommy’s unforgettable memory of a crabbing trip that nearly turned into a sinking disaster. With humor, candor, and a lot of love, this episode captures the spirit of a family that has been through a lot together and come out with stories that continue to shape their legacy.

Stories of Strength, Love, and Legacy – The Goodman Way