2002-08-23 12:59:15 -- Once upon a time in southwest Iowa, near Corning, Donnie and Arlene met. Their first meeting was probably at a church social or quartet practice, which both of their dads sang in and Arlene's mom played the piano for. I can't imagine they were more than 4 or 5 at the time. Anyway, as the years went by, they attended school in a one-room schoolhouse and fell in love. They would steal away at recess and play Tarzan and Jane. During one of those games, they shared their first kiss. Love blossomed and when Donnie was 9 and Arlene was 8, Donnie proposed to her. Arlene was not ready to make a commitment, but they still were the talk of country school. The years passed, and they moved on to "town school" and played the field - but Donnie always kept his eye on Arlene. They only had one date during their teen years and that was in junior high. Arlene managed to have her brother ride along and both of Donnie's parents acted as chauffeurs, much to Donnie's dismay. Arlene returned to Corning after attending business school and found Donnie waiting for her. The romance that existed in country school had remained and grown over the years. After a short dating period, Arlene decided it was time to say yes to Donnie's proposal, before he changed his mind. Donnie made it official on December 16, 1974, proposing on one knee, like a true gentleman. On May 30, 1975, they were married in a small country church within 100 yards of where they shared their first kiss and Donnie first proposed. As married life goes, they have survived and flourished as a couple, holding each other up during the rough times and cheering each other on during the triumphs. Their family grew to include a son, Jake, born in 1977, and a daughter, Angie, born in 1979, who are both wonderful, just like their parents! Although Hawaii was not on the list of places Donnie and Arlene had planned to go, in 1999 the opportunity presented itself for Donnie and Arlene to spend a week on the Big Island. They decided to splurge and go to paradise as an early 25th anniversary present. The week they spent on the Big Island was unbelievable and perfect in every way. The people, the beach, the sun, the ocean, the food, and most of all, being with each other. They truly had the time of their life. Their love story started nearly 45 years ago, a true storybook romance. It is a romance that is a lifelong journey for them with, hopefully, another 45 years ahead. And sometime another trip to Hawaii - as close to paradise as you can get! (This is our true story of love and romance! It's hard to believe for many people that we have truly known each other all our lives. We think it's great!)


peeewww
what a lovie couple i must say hehe