Parker County Today February 2016 | Page 18

Randall and Jonna Young What A Wonderful World It Would Be FEBRUARY 2016 PA R K E R C O U N T Y T O D AY Randall and Jonna Young met while they were both students at Baylor University. “A mutual acquaintance introduced us in early October of 1975,” Randall said. “Jonna was at his apartment baking something for a friend for her birthday. She lived in a dorm that didn’t have a kitchen. He introduced us and I asked her out. “Our first date was Halloween. We had a good time.” Randall insists that he was shy. “It was hard for me to talk under the pressure of a date,” he said. “It was just hard for me to keep a conversation going. But, she talked so much that I didn’t have to worry about having to say anything. It was great.” On their next date they went to homecoming together. “There was a football game, parade and a carnival,” Randall recalls. “We spent all day together and we had fun. “But, I didn’t go back and tell my friends, ‘I just met the girl of my dreams,’” he said. “Neither did she. But, we enjoyed each other’s company. We had fun. That’s the way we’ve always been — just two people who enjoyed being together.” They were married on March 18, 1978. “I had rented a cool old farmhouse from Perry Mader,” Randall said. “It was up on Springtown Highway. We were fixing it up.” Jonna’s dad was a Baptist minister at Cockrell Hill Baptist Church in Dallas. “He married us in his church,” Randall recalls. After the wedding an d reception were over, the newlyweds went to their quaint rented farmhouse and spent their honeymoon painting their home. The Young’s will celebrate their 38th Wedding Anniversary next month. They’ve raised a son and a daughter, had a lot of great times and weathered a few storms. Today, they like staying home together in the evenings more than going out. But what they most enjoy is spoiling their 18-month-old granddaughter. What’s the secret to a great and happy marriage? It helps that they still like each other. “She’s fun,” Young said. “She’s a redhead, you know.” So, what’s the secret to a long marriage? Tenacity, Randall said, adding, “Never give up. You’ve got to stick with it. It’s worth it.” Is there a secret to keeping the magic alive? “Yes,” Young said, “definitely — garage sales.” More love stories on page 22 16