Love Story: Julie and Denver Hicks

Published 7:41 pm Wednesday, December 24, 2008

During the 1950s locals such as Julie Montoya watched the latest films at the Everett Theater on Colby Avenue.

One winter evening, Julie and her girlfriend were sitting in the theater’s balcony when two boys behind them poked them in the back.

“I thought, ‘Leave us alone,’” Julie said.

After the movie ended, Julie had an idea of how she could get rid of the annoying young men. She decided to slide down a banister in the theater.

“It didn’t work,” Julie said.

The boys invited them for a Coke at a nearby diner. One of them, Denver Hicks, started to get to know Julie. They got to be friends, and then Denver met Julie’s parents.

Denver was from Kentucky and was stationed with the U.S. Air Force at Paine Field. Julie lived at Picnic Point. Denver would call Julie and write her letters. He turned 21 on July 4 and Julie turned 18 in September.

“It wasn’t too long after that, that he said, ‘Let’s get married,’” Julie said.

Denver and Julie Hicks of Everett celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Dec. 19.

The couple were married Dec. 19, 1958, at the Snohomish County Courthouse in Everett.

They have three children, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

To celebrate their anniversary, Denver and Julie’s daughters took them to Arnies in Mukilteo. Afterward the group set off to look at Christmas lights. Their daughters suggested a ride down Colby Avenue where the lights sparkle at this time of year. Their vehicle slowed at the theater, where Julie’s daughter encouraged her to look at the awning, on which there was a message about their anniversary.

“I thought, ‘Oh yeah, sure,’” she said.

After insisting they take a look inside, Julie and Denver were led upstairs. There to greet them were friends and family members ready to celebrate at the spot where the couple first met.

Neither Denver nor Julie knew that for the past six months their three daughters had been planning a surprise celebration for their wedding anniversary.

One granddaughter works for an airline and had brought Julie’s brother to Everett.

“I hadn’t seen him in 17 years,” Julie said. “He said, ‘Hi sis,’ and I said, ‘Oh, my baby brother is here.’”

Friends from the Monroe Faith Center Assembly of God were on hand, too. Julie and Denver have attended the church since their daughters were young.

“In this terrible weather they all came out,” Julie said. “We had a wonderful time.”

Julie describes Denver as very serious. He thinks things through before he speaks his mind.

Throughout his career Denver worked for Weyerhaeuser and Scott Paper, now Kimberly Clark.

Julie says their marriage has been very nice and that they have supported each other always. When asked if their love has grown throughout the years Julie says, “Oh yes. Very much so.”

The Hickses are close and Julie would tell couples starting out not to have arguments or to go to bed unhappy.

Denver waits for Julie every morning before having breakfast. They sit at the table and have breakfast lunch and dinner together. He always prays before their meals.

“You know I love him so much …” Julie said. “I would be completely lost without him.”

For more information on Love Story, call Christina Harper at 425-339-3491 or e-mail harper@heraldnet.com.