When Michael Dutton walked into the apartment complex that Magdalena Ochoa managed, he admits it was love at first sight.
Their obvious attraction to each other made for an awkward situation. They were both dating other people at the time.
Michael moved into one of the apartments, and he would see Magdalena around. After their previous relationships ended, the two started talking. He had a son. She had two daughters.
In January 2004, Michael told her he would be in the hospital for surgery, and Magdalena called after the operation and told him she was thinking about him.
“I thought, ‘This is it!’ ” Michael said. Then he asked, “What are you doing Friday? Want to see a movie with me?”
Magdalena Ochoa and Michael Dutton, both of Everett, plan an Oct. 8 wedding at Immaculate Conception Church in Mount Vernon.
Their parents are Vicente and Josefina Ochoa of Everett, and Merwyn and Cathy Dutton of Mount Vernon.
Magdalena is an assistant manager for Holland Residential in Lynnwood. Michael is a souschef at Anthony’s Woodfire Grill in Everett.
Just before Christmas 2004, Michael hatched a plan. He knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Magdalena, and he wanted to propose in a special way. Knowing Magdalena had never been to the Oregon coast, Michael suggested that they get away without the kids for a couple of days.They checked into a hotel near Seaside, Ore., and took a walk. “It was so romantic. Such a beautiful day,” Michael said.
They went to a restaurant he liked in Cannon Beach. From the window table, the couple could see Haystack Rock, a place special in Michael’s heart. An avid marathon runner, he achieved a personal best time in 1997 and immediately went to Haystack Rock.
When dinner was over, the couple went for a walk. “It was a moonlit night, and Haystack Rock was perfect,” Michael said.
They walked as close to the rock as they could. Michael told Magdalena how much he loved her, got down on one knee and put a ring on her finger.
“It was never as special a place to me as it was right then,” Michael said.
Magdalena cried, but managed to say yes to the proposal.
The wedding will be at the same church where Michael was baptized and had his first communion. His grandmother and grandfather, who held him during the baptism 35 years ago, will be in the same spot with the couple at the wedding.
Magdalena will welcome family members from Mexico, as well as guests from Maine and Arizona.
The couple will honeymoon in Oregon, and the day after the wedding, Michael will run his 93rd marathon in Bend, Ore.
Michael says that in Magdalena he has found the perfect woman for him. She is supportive and the relationship just gets better and better.
“She loves me unconditionally. She loves me for who I am,” Michael said. “She tells me how wonderful I am, and I share those feelings back at her.”
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
