Love Story: Jo Ann and Wendell Blount

Published 10:39 pm Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Wendell Blount had a sneak peek at Jo Ann Daniels’ admissions photo before she ever got to their Florida college. He had a friend whose mother worked in the school admissions office, and she let the boys peek at photos of incoming students.

Wendell thought Jo Ann was pretty. Somehow, he ended up in a class with Jo Ann. He left an impression.

“I thought he was mysterious,” Jo Ann said.

Wendell asked Jo Ann out and suggested a trip to Disney World. She agreed, but by the time they were supposed to go they both were interested in other people.

“We have pictures of us with other people there,” Jo Ann said.

The two became good friends and then grew attracted to one another.

Once, when Wendell tried to kiss Jo Ann, she scolded him. She didn’t want their friendship ruined. “I said, ‘Don’t ever kiss me,’” Jo Ann said. Later she was mad that she’d said it.

One day things took a different turn. Jo Ann says that she looked at him and thought, “I really love Wendell as more than a friend,” she said.

They dated. Then, as they watched the miniseries “Marco Polo” on television, Wendell asked Jo Ann if she would like to be Mrs. Blount.

“I said, ‘I have to go to the bathroom,’” Jo Ann said. “It was a commercial.”

When Jo Ann returned she told Wendell “yes.”

The couple were married Dec. 19, 1982, in Tampa, Fla. Jo Ann and Wendell Blount of Everett will celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary with a trip to Leavenworth.

The couple moved to Neah Bay, Wash., in 1990 when Wendell went to work for the Makah Tribe. They moved to Snohomish County in 1993.

Jo Ann and Wendell have one daughter.

God has been the couple’s foundation, they said, along with being grateful and recognizing that people are more important than things.

The Blounts like to have fun together and have traveled to nine countries and 24 states.

During their marriage Jo Ann and Wendell made a trip to the Middle East and lived on a kibbutz for a year. Among other trips, Wendell helped build a dental clinic in Mexico.

Jo Ann and Wendell have always had common goals, and good communication is an important part of their relationship.

Jo Ann said that she loves Wendell very much and it feels as if they have always been together.

“It’s been comforting and nice to have someone to go through the good and the bad times together,” Jo Ann said.

Being with him has been natural and comfortable, like it was meant to be.

“I can’t think of my life without him,” Jo Ann said.

For information on Love Story and Celebrations, call Christina Harper at 425-339-3491 or email harper@heraldnet.com.