Future Heron's Key Valentines Celebrate Years of Marriage

It was 1956 when Randy Valentine a second year student at Washington State University Veterinary School, sent his first letter to Carol, a nursing student in Tacoma General Hospital nearly eight hours away. Randy’s roommate suggested that he befriend his girlfriend’s classmate, who also was in nursing school.

After three months of exchanging letters, Randy traveled to Orting, Wash. from Montesano, Wash., nearly 70 miles in the fog, for a blind date with Carol—a night of dancing. However, when they stepped out to the dance floor, Randy admitted that he only knew the Wynooche Valley two-step and really didn’t know how to dance.

“It’s disappointing when your feet are trying to boogie and your partner can’t dance,” laughs Carol. “You might judge from that that things weren’t going very well.”

After three years and dating during school breaks, the two were still long distance pen pals. They had graduated from school and had begun their careers. Randy was working in Seattle as a veterinarian, a profession and passion he still practices today, and Carol had relocated to Long Beach, Calif. to practice nursing after turning down an engagement ring from Randy before she left, saying she’d be back in a year.

One evening Randy stopped by a dance studio across the street from a veterinary clinic that he supervised and was offered a free lesson. During the lesson the instructor told him she would sure like to find a white Manx kitten. He told her they were very rare, but he might be able to find one. (The day before Randy had seen his first litter of white Manx kittens come through the vet clinic). He called up the owner and finding they were still available for sale, purchased one for $3.00.

That night, nearly a year after Carol’s move to California, Randy called Carol, “you’ll never guess what I did today…I traded a cat for dance lessons.”

“I was flabbergasted,” said Carol. “I hung up the phone and said ‘I’m going home to marry this guy.’”

Randy hasn’t seen another white manx kitten since then, he also exclaims that it has been the best investment he has ever made.

Fast forward to Feb. 14, 2015; Randy and Carol Valentine will be celebrating 54 years of marriage. They are the proud parents of three sons and are still madly in love.

“My stomach still does flip flops when he comes in the door,” said Carol.

Every year the couple travels to Hawaii to celebrate their anniversary, snorkeling and lounging on the beach.

To this day, Randy and Carol share the same interests in reading, medical practice and are two avid tractor pulling enthusiasts. When the couple is not performing orthopedic surgery at Randy’s former practice, the two spend their free time reading, traveling and enjoying their antique tractors, and pulling them competitively in different areas of Washington.

Since Carol’s tractor likes to buck but she doesn’t, she leaves the glory and the trophies to Randy and their son David, who are very competitive and winners.

The Valentine’s currently live in Gig Harbor and are excited to move to Heron’s Key in the next few years. As many couples proclaim, the two felt relieved to take the burden of caring for them off of their children’s plate and make a life changing decision that would give them healthcare and security for the remainder of their lives.

“We want to spend our retirement in a place that gives us the freedom to be ourselves,” said Randy. “We also like that we will be able to spend our time with interesting people who are interested in being social.”

Seniors from across the county are taking a step toward a secured and refreshing approach to retirement at Heron’s Key. People who were once doctors or manufacturers will take up other pursuits such as woodcarving and become photography enthusiasts. Among the interesting and unique charter members, you will find the Valentine’s—two positive people enthusiastic for their next life journey.