It was the early 1970s when Sue Lindley, a student at Nathan Hale High School, met Rick Mitchell at a party.
He says he threw a piece of candy at her. She doesn’t remember.
What Sue is sure of is that when they met it was love at first sight.
“As corny as it sounds,” Sue said.
She was 16 years old and knew Rick was the one she wanted to spend her life with. In March 1972 Sue and Rick had their first kiss.
When they met the song of the moment was “L.A. Woman” by The Doors. Sue recalls that Rick’s reputation was that he could be a bit rowdy.
The couple became high school sweethearts. They were inseparable until Rick went to college and Sue went to work in Seattle. She suggested they take a break for a while.
It didn’t take Sue long to realize that Rick was more sweet and considerate than any other guy out there.
The two began dating again. One lunchtime on Queen Anne Hill, Rick threw a brown bag to Sue. Inside was a ring box. It was much later when he got down on one knee to ask for her hand in marriage. Either way, Sue said, “Yes.”
Rick and Sue Mitchell of Lynnwood celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary with an Alaskan cruise that lasted from July 31 to Aug. 5.
The couple were married Nov. 1, 1975, in Seattle. They moved to Lynnwood in 1976 and have lived there ever since. Rick and Sue have two children.
The Alaskan cruise was a second honeymoon, one that the couple’s friends and family contributed to. Although Rick and Sue’s anniversary was in November, they couldn’t celebrate until now. Rick was diagnosed with cancer in 2005.
“It came out of left field,” Sue said.
Rick went through chemotherapy and recently was told he is cancer-free.
“Everything is good,” Sue said.
Sue says being honest with each other has been very important in their marriage.
They spend a lot of time together even if Rick would rather be listening to hard rock and Sue would rather be listening to James Taylor. Rick also loves to cook. And whoever does the cooking gets to pick the radio station.
Rick has been a wonderful husband and father, his wife said. When his shift at Boeing ended at 2:30 p.m., he would come home then go and coach baseball and soccer.
“He was a hands-on dad,” Sue said. “He changed diapers.”
Rick and Sue never separate without a kiss and saying “I love you” no matter what time of day or night, or even if one of them is just running to the store.
Sue also says that Rick can make her laugh or smile even when things are not so great. He’s easy to be around and funny.
“I found the right person,” Sue said. “I got very lucky.”
For more information on Love Story or Celebrations, contact Christina Harper at 425-339-3491 or harper@heraldnet.com.
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