'I liked her from day one' - Wes Prinzen, 50 years later
There was a double celebration for Eddie Martinez and Brianna Soto at the Wes and Carol Prinzen 50th wedding anniversary party. They were recently engaged and plan to marry in March.
Several family members arrived at least a day early for last Saturday's celebration of the Wes and Carol Prinzen 50th wedding anniversary. Wes (orange) and Carol (black) are in the middle. From left, the rest of the family members are grand-daughter Stacie Pike, grandson-in-law Christopher Barber, grandson-in-law Jeremy Mills, grand-daughter Stephanie Pike, daughter Kristie Pike, son-in-law Sheldon Powelson, grandson Kyle Soto, brother-in-law Robert Knight, Carol's sister Elaine Knight, niece Tracy Dickinson, nephew-in-law Joe Dickinson, grand-daughter Brianna Soto and Brianna's fiance Eddie …
CRESCENT BAR - Carol Prinzen was just 12 years old when Wes Prinzen saw her for the first time and fell head-over-heels in love.
Wes, 15 at the time, didn't know Carol's age, only that she was beautiful and meant for him. But it took a while for them to become a couple, and it was actually Carol who made it happen.
The Prinzens celebrated 50 years of marriage last Saturday with family and friends at the Crescent Bar Activity Center. That party ended at 5 p.m., but it took off again at their home at North Park and lasted well into the night.
"We had a great time," Wes said.
Wes was at the back of the balcony of an Everett movie house when he spotted Carol at the front with several friends. Boldly he left his seat, went to the front and asked if he could sit with her.
Yes, she said, and then everything went haywire.
Wes's brother jumped in front of him and took the seat next to Carol. For the next three months, they were a couple. Then before Wes could act on that break-up, Carol had a new boyfriend.
Wes was still in love with Carol, but he wasn't exactly waiting for her. He had a couple of girlfriends during that time.
Finally, about a year and a half after that movie house encounter, Wes and Carol became a couple. She was without a boyfriend and wanted to go to a Friday night movie.
"I had nobody to take me," she said
Carol, 14 then, went to Wes, 17, and said: "Tonight is your chance."
Wes, who was breaking up with a girlfriend, acted quickly, and they went to that movie. Within a year Wes was planning the future. When time came to pop the question, it was a process.
"I took her a dozen red roses," he recalled. "The next week I gave her a watch. The third week I took the engagement ring."
For good measure, Wes threw in the promise that they'd go on vacation every year.
Carol said yes, and they were married at Bethel Baptist Church on July 19, 1962, a Saturday. Wes had to be at work the next Monday morning. The newlyweds honeymooned one night at a Snohomish motel.
The Prinzens had a full honeymoon at the earliest opportunity. They're having one in Hawaii for their 50th.
The Prinzens lived in Everett for a while. They moved to Marysville in 1969 and then Arizona in 1975. They raised two daughters, Kimberly and Kristie, along the way. They have six grandchildren, age range 10 to 28.
The Prinzens had two successful businesses in Arizona. One was landscaping. The other was waste management. Their success allowed them the lifestyle they enjoy.
When the Prinzens sold out and retired, they took a three-month trip around the U.S., touching all four corners.
The Prinzens' primary home is still in Arizona. This is their 20th year at Crescent Bar, where they come to escape the summer of the desert Southwest.
Looking back, Carol said: "We had some rocky spots. I threw a cup at him once."
Wes did not return the favor, she added.
The keys to Carol's and Wes's marital success, Carol said, were commitment, determination, love and family, with love and family the strongest.
"It's always about family," she said.