COCHRANE— They say finding true love is like hitting the jackpot. Sometimes you have to keep spinning until you get the triple seven, but when you do, everything falls into place.
While some search near and far to find their soulmate, others will exchange glances and just know it's meant to be. For a local couple this couldn't be any more accurate.
Jim and Elaine Dziadyk's love story started 50 years ago. A young 16-year-old Elaine attended a wedding dance she was invited to by her cousin. She recalls laying eyes on her then 19-year-old hubby and ecstatically mentioning to her cousin "That's the man I'm going to marry!" The two hit it off and became an item after Jim gave Elaine his school ring and asked her if she "wanted to go steady" - a ring Elaine still treasures after all these years.
Celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary on May 16, Jim and Elaine are living proof that long-lasting relationships do still exist. The secret to their success they said is "communication, respect, love... and lots of hobbies."
Last weekend their three children, Rick, Rod and Randene set up a Zoom call with the family to celebrate Jim and Elaine's special day. The couple had plans to travel to Hawaii for their anniversary, but due to the turmoil created by the COVID-19 pandemic, daughter Randene said family and friends brought Hawaii to her parents instead.
"We decorated the outside of their garage Hawaiian style so it was perfect and we sat and just visited and played Hawaiian music in the background," she said. "We also planned a surprise parade for them at 2 p.m. on Saturday (May 16). All of their neighbours and the community came out with their pots and pans and posters and the street was full. They were totally taken back and didn't expect that and thought it was amazing."
"We can't repeat our 50th, it was perfect," said the couple. "What's meant to be, will happen."
Over the years, the pair have pursued hobbies that have allowed them to be individuals and creative. Jim has always enjoyed restoring old vehicles - a pet peeve of Elaine's who perhaps does not like the competition of his so-called "second love." Elaine enjoys fuelling her artistic side with either teaching Ukrainian dancing, painting, sewing or scrapbooking. Jim could argue that his pet peeve of Elaine's would be her failed attempts at closing the fridge and her over cleaning which is kind of making his passion for restored cars look not so bad. All jokes aside, complaining about the small things is indeed minuscule as their love for one another rises above all.
Relationships are not easy. They take patience, understanding and a light heart. After 50 years, it's safe to say Jim and Elaine have shown their fair share of resilience and have developed an admired companionship, one that daughter Randene says has inspired her.
"Their commitment for each other, they are the type of people that always showed joy no matter what struggles they were going through. Whether it was financial or job loss, they always put their kids first, and they would do whatever it took to make sure that we were happy."
Congratulations to Jim and Elaine Dziadyk. May many more years of laughter, love and unforgettable memories lie before you. There are two fewer fish in the sea.
