By Jeff Labine

P.A. love story lasts decades

Feb 14, 2017 | 5:00 AM

When Denise Esopenko first laid eyes on her would-be husband at a dance more than 50 years ago, she knew he was the one.

“We got together and it just filled my heart with love,” she said. “I really love him and I’ll love him until I die. I couldn’t have met anybody better than him.”

Denise’s husband Bill remembers the dance well. The dance was held just after harvest in the fall. Bill and a neighbour, who were both bachelors at the time, decided to attend the festivities. But when the two arrived, they found the hall empty, although the music was playing.

The pair immediately did what any two single guys would do, and left for the nearby beer parlour to try out their luck there. The move proved fortunate for Bill, who noticed Denise.

“I walked in and there was a lot of people standing by the door,” he said. “But I looked towards the right where there was a table with just two people sitting by it. I asked and they didn’t mind us sitting with them. It was the first meeting where I met Denise, my wife.”

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After about a year of dating, Bill proposed. The two continued to farm in the area and had a number of children and eventually grandchildren.

Denise said what attracted her to Bill was his cool and calm demeanour. The feeling was mutual for Bill. Both said they wanted a quiet life together.

“That’s what kept us together,” Bill said. “That’s something she admired in me – that I was cool and collected. I don’t believe in fighting or staying angry. I like peace and quiet. I grew up in a family where we had peace in our home place.”

The couple, both 86 years old, have since moved into the Herb Bassett Home. Denise was the first to arrive there roughly three years ago. Despite not living together for more than a year, Bill continued to visit every day until the time came when he became a resident.

“Practically every day I would come and visit her during the day so we had each other’s company,” he said.

Although Valentine’s Day is Tuesday, neither Denise nor Bill celebrate the occasion very much. Both said they are simply happy to be with one another.

Jeff.Labine@jpbg.ca.

On Twitter: @labinereporter.