Jim and Tara McMillan met in December 1983, in Calgary, at the Village Square Leisure Centre. She was only 15 years old, swimming and doing the typical thing with girlfriends and Jim (18 years old) was in a Chucky Cheese mascot outfit doing a promo at the centre.
He was about to leave, when he turned around and saw Tara. He wasn’t allowed to speak while wearing the mastcot outfit so he pleaded with his co-worker to get Tara’s phone number and eventually her girlfriend gave it up. Later that night, Tara’s mom said there was a message on the phone, saying, “Chucky Cheese had called and would call back later.”
They went on their first date, a blind date, as she had never seen his face because of the mascot costume. They dated for a while however, they eventually went their own separate ways.
During the 25 years they were apart, Tara married and had three children. Jim had been married twice and was now divorced. Five years ago, while Jim was living in Delisle, SK he decided to go on-line and search for old friends. There was a website for high school graduates to reconnect and he remembered Tara’s school name and the year she had graduated. “Lo and behold, there she was!” exclaimed Jim. He sent an email and she sent one back. Jim said, “It’s like we have never been apart.”
Two years ago, in August, they married and held their celebration at the Royal Canadian Legion. They were dancing and “doing the dip” to a song by the Eagles, Take it to the Limit, when Jim felt beads of sweat running down his fingers and Tara slipped from his hand, falling on her head giving new meaning to falling head over heels in love.
Jim said: “When we first dated, she was so shy, almost as if she was afraid to smile. Now she is very outgoing, concerned with her family and very loving. That’s what attracted me the most.” Tara said, “I love his sense of humour, and that we can be funny and goofy together. He is my best friend.”
Their key to a successful marriage is respect and communication.
Tara summed it up by saying, “Don’t wait for the storm to pass, learn to dance in the rain!”
