The 1980s: it was an age of big frizzy hairstyles, shoulder pads, Sylvester Stallone sunglasses and the Madonna ‘street urchin’ look. Every teenager seemed to be wired up to a Sony Walkman, wear a ripped sweatshirt and be into party lines, the telephone equivalent of 1990s computer chat rooms.
In Barrhead, young people were no different, many following the fashion of the decade as they gathered at a drive-in movie theatre, cruised up and down Main Street or hung out at the Pizza Place until the early hours.
Two such teenagers were Marjolaine Blais and Jeff Loitz, who graduated in 1983 from Lorne Jenkin High School, nowadays known as Barrhead Composite High School.
Marjolaine had been aware of the dark haired boy with the cream car for a while, although they had never hit it off at school. She even told herself she did not like him.
He wasn’t her type, he was a bit snotty, he was … well, she had her anti-Jeff arguments, but none was really convincing.
For his part, Jeff had never felt hostility towards the very pretty girl. They had not socialized much, that was all.
Then one day the course of their lives changed. Marjolaine’s cousin Charmaine invited them to her boyfriend Tim’s birthday party.
Marjolaine groaned when she heard Jeff would be there, but she went anyway, and something changed between them. Perhaps in the convivial atmosphere she removed the barrier that had been keeping emotions at bay.
While others played cards, drank or danced, Marjolaine and Jeff talked and listened to Simon and Garfunkel.
She soon realized what she had suspected all along, that Jeff was a regular guy, good fun and kind. The fact he had a car was a bonus. It was little wonder he never seemed short of girlfriends.
“We got on really well — something clicked,” Marjolaine said last Friday. “Jeff took me home and asked me out for a date the next night.”
The year was 1984 and they were 19, on the cusp of adulthood. He worked in the oil fields at Swan Hills, she was at the House of Print, selling electrical typewriters, among other items.
When she said “yes” to a date, it was the start of a partnership that has endured 28 years, seen them overcome many challenges, progress from a mobile home to a large two-storey house with a pie-shaped yard, raise three daughters, and grow into middle age, grateful for what they have and hopeful for what is to come.
During a courtship that took them to haunts like a drive-in movie theatre, the Dallas Hotel, Roxy Theatre and Pizza Place, Jeff bought Marjolaine a promise ring on her birthday, July 28, and an engagement ring on Christmas, 1985.
A 13-month engagement culminated with marriage on Feb. 14, 1987 — Valentine’s Day.
Why did Jeff choose such landmark dates? The question provokes light-hearted disagreement.
“It’s because he’s cheap,” she laughed. “He’s always been cheap.”
“It’s because I’m romantic,” he countered. “That’s the answer I like most.”
What is not in dispute is the splendour of their candlelit wedding service at the old United Church, next to the present IGA, which saw 350 family members and friends get together. While the memories remain vivid, a family photo album is a reminder of small details.
“It was a beautiful day,” said Marjolaine, who came to Barrhead as a French-speaking 10-year-old when her parents moved from Quebec. “I remember there were big, fat snowflakes falling.”
“The only cold feet I got that day was from the snow,” said Jeff, who spent a quiet stag night drinking with friends in Edmonton.
Through the day Marjolaine’s mother, Suzanne, helped with preparations as bride and bridesmaids tried on dresses made by Evelyn Tischer.
The service went ahead without a hitch. Best man was a cousin, Grant Bilau, and Matron of Honour was Tracey.
Afterwards the party assembled at Camp Creek Hall and watched the cutting of a giant fruitcake, a tiny piece of which the couple have retained as a keepsake, wrapped in red paper with a bow.
As Brian Roth and his band-mates switched between country music and rock, people began dancing and continued partying until about 3 a.m. Jeff’s parents, Harry and Helen, slept that night in the hall.
“On the Sunday we had three hours of opening presents,” said Marjolaine. “We received lots of lovely gifts and about $3,000, which was amazing.”
The next morning the newlyweds went to Jasper for a week. While Marjolaine skied, Jeff found other amusement since he had hurt his knee playing volleyball.
After the honeymoon, they lived in a mobile for four years before moving to Whitecourt for a year. In 1990 they returned to Barrhead, where they have remained.
“We had our first daughter, Angelique, in 1989,” said Marjolaine. “Our second daughter, Jamy, in 1990 and a third daughter, Mackenzie, in 1996.”
Meanwhile, Barrhead born and raised Jeff moved from the oil business to Champion Feeds, where he is now a shift foreman, and Marjolaine opened a day home while she raised their children and worked at the continuing care centre for 11 years.
They bought their current house 14 years ago, making it a home for their family and their dog, Muffin. Recently they started taking in foster children.
It has been an eventful journey for the couple, who share a passion for reading, travelling, camping, fishing, boating and collecting vintage cars – they own a 1956 Lincoln Premier and 1967 Buick Skylark Convertible.
They plan to celebrate their silver wedding anniversary in Mexico, enjoying the sunshine and snorkelling. For anyone wondering at the answer to the age-old question, what is the secret to a happy marriage, they give different answers, reflecting the humour and love that bond them.
“A happy wife, a happy life,” smiled Jeff. “Always agree with the wife, that’s what I say.”
“Don’t run from problems,” said Marjolaine. “Leaving has never been an option for us.”
