Romney's life is his father's legacy

BOSTON (AP)— From his slicked, carefully coifed hair to his data-driven business

principles to his unwavering devotion to his oft-maligned Mormon faith, Mitt

Romney is the spitting image of his father physically, professionally and

morally.

The depth of their bond can be seen in one early story.

As an 18-year-old, Mitt Romney met a 15-year-old girl with whom he felt he

could share his life. He then left for a year of college and a 2 1/2-year Mormon

mission in France, during which time his father not only took his future wife,

Ann Davies, to church, but converted her to their faith.

"Your gal looked lovely as always," George Romney wrote to his son in

February 1967. "I sat next to her in church and asked if that ring of yours on

her engagement finger meant what it usually means, and she said it did."

At the time, George Romney was governor of Michigan and former chairman of

American Motors; Ann's father, Edward Davies, had a less lofty title as the

part-time mayor of Bloomfield Hills, Mich., where both families lived.

By the time Mitt returned in 1969, Ann's conversion was complete. Three

months later the couple - he was 22, she 19 - married, first in a civil ceremony

in Ann's home and the next day in the Mormon temple in Salt Lake City.

Today, as he runs for the Republican presidential nomination, Mitt Romney

highlights his 38-year marriage, his five sons and the family life he's built

with Ann - all tied to his father's influence.

"My dad is my life hero," said Romney, now 60. "I probably would have never

thought about politics; it would have never crossed my mind, had I not seen him

do it. He's the real pioneer."