Not many single women took on the adventure of quitting their jobs and moving away to far off places with girlfriends during the 1950s.
That’s exactly what Donna Deierling of Everett did in September 1953. Donna and two of her girlfriends, Ruby and Anne, saved some money, called it quits at the Everett phone company and headed out.
“It was quite unusual at that time,” Donna said. “I wanted to bike through Europe.”
Instead, the three left the damp Pacific Northwest for sunny Hawaii to kick back for a while as beach bunnies.
Hank (Henry) Robinett of Lake Stevens was a handsome pilot in the Marine Corps stationed in Hawaii. His brother, an Everett phone company employee, wrote to Hank and suggested that since he was in Hawaii, Hank should introduce himself to three former coworkers, the beach bunnies.
Little did Donna or Hank realize that their chance meeting in Hawaii would lead them to love and the beginning of more than 50 years together.
Donna and Hank Robinett will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary Sept. 11 with an open house from 1 to 4 p.m. at the home of their daughter.
The couple were married Sept. 11, 1954, about 10 months after Hank and his buddy arrived at the Ala Moana Apartments to take Donna and Anne out. Ruby had already found a fellow.
When they went on their date, Donna made sure she got to sit in the front seat with Hank. Sparks flew and the couple had a good time together.
“He was a very nice person,” Donna said.
It took Donna a couple of months after that first date to realize that Hank was “the one.”
At a luau in January 1954, Donna and Ruby were presented with rings and proposals of marriage from their beau’s Hank and Fred. The men still laugh about who got the better deal on the engagement rings they bought.
Donna and Hank still see Ruby and Fred regularly, although they live on the East Coast. Anne, the friend relegated to the back seat of the car that night, came home to the Pacific Northwest and got married.
The Robinetts lived in California when they came back from Hawaii. They spent most of the next 20 years moving around. In 1970, they landed back in their native Snohomish County.
Having a lot of patience, plenty of give and take, and agreeing on the important things has helped the couple have a strong marriage.
The past 50 years has also brought Donna and Hank four children and seven grandchildren.
“He really cares about family and friends,” Donna said. “He likes to help others. He’s good that way. I really admire that.”
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