Have you met MK's parents?

[Willowdale]

Hi, everybody! Have you met MK's parents? If so, have you talked to them? I just want to know more about them. If you think I just started a silly topic, just ignore this. :0) Regards, Michelle

[kwanette]

It is not a stupid topic because kwanette can respond to it. I met Danny Kwan at the 98 Nats. in Phila. I have told this story before but I don't mind repeating it. The night of the ladies long was a beautiful night, not cold at all for Jan. in Phila. I was a nervous wreck. I had spotted Mr. Kwan across the ice in his brown leather jacket...remember the one he had on at the OLy? Anyway, a few skaters before Michelle, I took a potty and cigarette break...The smoking door was right near our seats, so it was great for me. My friend Karen went with me. I walked out of the door and looked to my right and there was Mr. Kwan. I told Karen who he was. My intent was to smoke, say a Hail Mary and told to my mom who I believe is one of the Angels...she died in 94...I didn't want to bother him...so I quietly went up to him and lightly touched his arm..."Mr. Kwan,I don't want to bother you... I just want to tell you that your daughter is an angel.I came out here to say a prayer for her and to ask my mom for help."He looked at me and grabbed my arm tightly...and in his darling English said..."Thank-you so much." It was the way he said it...like a nervous and appreciative father....I left him...Karen was amazed that I had the nerve to go up to him...she's not a stalker like me...I looked up at the sky....and the stars were so clear to see...and something just told me that the night was going to be perfect....I'm crying typing this...sentimental me....What a nice man...

[Cherie]

Kwanette, I've read your story before, but have enjoyed it just as much a second time. And again like before you brought tears to my eyes.

[Sharon]

ITA Cherie, Kwanette's story is great EVERY time! It's no wonder Michelle is such a great person too!

[Willowdale]

Kwanette, thank u so much for responding to my message. Your story is just so lovely, and I enjoy reading it. :0)

[ML]

Thank you for shareing your heart warming encounter with us. I remember from Cherie tape, there was a lady holding a "I Am a Keanette" sign at '98 Nat'l that was catcherd by the ABC camera on TV; I wonder it was you?!

[kwanette]

I was so nervous I could barely hold my bladder....The other "kwanette" is an imposter....I am the REAL kwanette!

[barang]

i am so proud of you. you just made us all teary eyes. that a was very very touchy moment.

[Heather]

That was a beautiful story. :-) I can't get close to that, but I did meet Michelle's mom a few times. My mom spoke with her a litte at '98 Nationals practice, and I just said something about how much I loved Michelle...I was a little flustered since it was a little before Michelle's first practice, and I couldn't wait to see her skate. Another time was at GWG when I ran into her and Shep, where *again* I said how I loved Michelle and wished her luck. LOL.

[Mousee17]

Kindness must run in the family. That was a great story kwanette. Made me a little teary. And everything turned our perfectly the way you felt it would, thank God. The Kwan children must have learned wonderful manners from their parents. Now why can't other kids be like that? :)

[Willowdale]

Heather, thank you for sharing your story with us. :0) I really hope to meet and talk with MK's parents someday... Meeting MK and her parents would mean a lot to me.

[Lara Michele]

Well, I didn't really talk to her but I did meet Estelle at Skate Canada. On the second day of competition I happened to get to the arena just when she, Frank and Michelle arrived, and I opened the door for them. I'm pretty sure that both she and Frank said thank you to me. I don't think Michelle said anything, but goodness knows what I might have said in the first place LOL...I just know that I didn't say hello or wish her good luck like I ought to have! Oh well...but in any case, Estelle certainly struck me like a very nice person and I see where Michelle has gotten her class from. Lara Michele :-)

[Karin]

Wasn't Estella a former nurse...(and then a former news anchor)??? Anywayzzz...I do notice that MK's mom always has this great big smile on her face!!!

[jkovner]

I find the Kwans to be the best type of skating parents. They seem very supportive; less interested in whether Michelle does a clean runthrough than interested in Michelle's happiness.

[Willowdale]

Is it true that the Kwans own a Chinese restaurant in California? :0) I think I've seen MK and her parents having lunch in a Chinese restaurant in the best of MK tape. Can anyone confirm this? JKovner, I TOTALLY agree with you!!! :0)

[Sharon]

Willowdale, they did own a restaurant in Torrance, California at one time, but have since sold it. And yes, it is on Cherie's tape.

[Calum]

Danny Kwan immigrated to Southern California in 1971. He worked as a busboy at a restaurant while saving enough money to buy part ownership of the Golden Pheasant, a Chinese restaurant in Torrance. After two years as a cook and waiter, he bought out his partners, brought his parents to run the restaurant, and went to work for Pacific Bell in Gardena. In 1974, he returned to Hong Kong to marry his childhood sweetheart, Estella. The Kwan family sold the restaurant in 1997 because Danny’s parents, who were running it, had both reached their mid-70s.