It was Dan Moen’s sister-in-law who introduced him to her sister, Donna Granroth, in 1976.
Both Dan and Donna were in marriages at the time but the two hit it off and stayed in touch for a few years.
Dan eventually moved to Alaska and was there for 15 years. When he returned to the area, he and Donna saw each other again.
“Because she was my sister-in-law’s sister, we would see each other when I went to see my brother,” Dan said.
The couple exchanged niceties and carried on with their lives.
In March, after 50 years of marriage, Dan’s wife died. After a few weeks, he got in touch with Donna. Dan found that Donna was divorced after 28 years of marriage and that her ex-husband had died.
They renewed their acquaintance.
“We decided, ‘What the heck?’ ” Dan said. “We might as well get married and commit ourselves to each other as man and wife.”
Donna Granroth, 75, of Everett and Dan Moen, 75, of Blaine plan a Saturday wedding at the home of Fred and Lori Gogal in Marysville. Lori is Donna’s oldest daughter.
Donna has three children, six grandchildren and several stepgrandchildren. Dan has one son and two grandchildren.
Dan and Donna are delighted that her granddaughter’s husband, a writer and director from Hollywood, Calif., will officiate at the wedding.
“It feels pretty great,” Dan said of his upcoming wedding to Donna. “I’m looking forward to it. I’m excited.”
His first wedding was an elopement. Donna’s was conducted in a judge’s house.
This time around, Dan and Donna are looking forward to a casual, fun, potluck barbecue with lots of guests.
Dan describes Donna as a very loving and caring person. She retired in 1995 from Fircrest School for developmentally disabled people in Seattle.
Dan was in construction most of his life and retired in 2000.
The couple plans on doing a lot of traveling together. They may visit Dan’s relatives on the East Coast and Donna’s granddaughter in Hollywood.
“We are both gonna enjoy ourselves for the rest of our lives,” Dan said. “We feel very fortunate that we have each other.”
Dan says that he almost can’t believe he and Donna are getting married. They wake up every morning and ask the same question. They ask themselves if this is really happening to them.
“It pays to be patient,” Donna said. “It’s never too late to fall in love again.”
Dan couldn’t agree more.
“I love her with all my heart and all my soul and I am committing myself to her for the rest of my life,” Dan said. “And I know she feels the same way.”
For more information on Love Story, call Christina Harper at 425-339-3491 or e-mail harper@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
