Vic Ledoux, born in Connecticut and raised in Massachusetts, was a navigator with the United States Air Force in 1963. He was flying supplies to Vietnam and other areas throughout the Pacific out of McChord Air Force Base in Pierce County.
Karen Sanford was just finishing nursing school in Tacoma. She was born and raised in the Sumner area.
When the two were set up on a blind date by friends, they discovered something: They had met the night before at a nurses and officers party.
Karen already liked Vic.
“I thought, ‘Oh, he’s nice and he’s handsome and tall,’” Karen said.
The couple ate at a Seattle restaurant that first date. It wasn’t long before they were falling in love.
Karen and Vic were married just six months after they met. Vic picked up his girl in his car and suggested that she get something out of the glove compartment.
“I was very surprised,” Karen said. “There was a velvet box.”
Inside was an engagement ring.
Karen and Vic Ledoux will celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary on Sunday.
The couple were married Feb. 8, 1964, in the chapel at the McChord base. A reception was held in the officer’s club.
“It was a very military wedding,” Karen said. “All the guys were in mess dress.”
A family celebration will be held to celebrate Karen and Vic’s anniversary, as well as a party for Vic’s 70th birthday on Monday. A trip to Hawaii is also planned.
The family lived in Issaquah until February 2003, when they moved to Mukilteo. Vic retired that year after being in insurance.
Vic enjoys retirement and keeps busy with boat-related activities. He is also heralded as the frequent cook in the house. He volunteers once a week at the hospital where he had open-heart surgery.
Karen runs her own consulting business as a medical case manager.
The couple have two children and five grandchildren.
Karen describes Vic as a leader and a team player, and a wonderful husband and father.
“He’s always steady,” she said. “There’s nothing radical. I would be more the spontaneous one.”
Good communication and being the best of friends keeps Karen and Vic’s marriage strong.
“We have fun,” Karen said. “We have our boat and do a lot of cruising.”
They also enjoy cooking classes, going to movies and travel.
Their mutual support and love for each other has continued to grow throughout the years.
Karen would tell people just starting out in marriage to plan on their relationship working.
“I think that the difference is that you don’t hope, you plan to be committed,” she said.
For more information on Love Story and free Celebrations in Thursday’s Herald, please call Christina Harper at 425-339-3491 or e-mail harper@heraldnet.com.
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