Love stories: Duo began as high school sweethearts

Vicky and Dan Frickles’ backyard is an oasis.

Striking flowers border the lawn, a fountain trickles methodically, and the scent of fresh garden vegetables permeates the summer air. Dan Frickle’s artwork is displayed on the fence and on their neighbor’s gate.

“We’ve been married for 34 years, and every year we’ve had a garden, plus one while we were dating,” Dan said with a smile.

“We had fun doing that,” Vicky Frickle added.

“I’m positive we’re one of the few living and breathing couples who have high school and college pictures together,” Dan said.

In 1971 Dan and Vicky met at a strict co-educational high school in Montana.

“We weren’t allowed to date, but the school put on banquets,” Dan said. “They also had ski nights on Saturday, so everyone would ski the back trails.”

“Where there were no teachers,” Vicky said with a laugh.

Their first kiss happened on one of those back trails.

Dan and his roommate were proficient in German. Vicky, unbeknownst to Dan, had learned a few German words on her own.

“The night we went skiing he said something to his roommate in German. I figured out what he was saying, but I played dumb,” she said, smiling at the recollection.

“We could’ve been expelled,” said Dan, wiping his brow.

“In a way it’s kind of funny because it was so strict, and they had all these rules, and yet, it made it more romantic, because you would find times to be together,” Vicky said.

By the end of their junior year, Dan knew Vicky was “the person for me.” He was right.

The couple married in their sophomore year while attending Walla Walla College. Soon, a mutual dream of a Hawaiian vacation began to form.

“We were college students, but we saved on groceries by clipping coupons, mowing people’s lawns, typing term papers, and selling paintings,” said Dan, a certified public accountant since 1978. “We saved the money, and the day after we graduated from college, we flew to Hawaii.

“We were so poor that we took a suitcase full of food.”

“And we took two other people along to share the cost, so it was fun,” Vicky added.

The couple moved into their Otis Orchards home in 1977. The housing development was built by Vicky’s father.

“It was Dad’s way of saying he wanted us to be here,” she said. It originally was a “starter home,” but Dan readily admits he doesn’t switch gears easily.

“We’re still here,” he said with a grin.

The couple have two children, Eric, who is married and manages The Kitchen Engine, and Emily, who is still at home. They also have one grandson.

The Frickles know there are no guarantees of a trouble-free life. At one time a bad business deal had them facing an uncertain future.

Recently, Vicky’s parents died within eight days of each other.

“I guess everybody has to go through those moments,” she said.

The couple also believe their differences are each other’s strengths.

“He likes things just so,” Vicky said.

“I’ve got to have my lists,” Dan conceded.

“I’m more easygoing, and it’s good that he’s like that because I need someone to keep me on track,” Vicky said. “On the other hand, I soften things up a bit. I make him stop working and say, ‘Let’s go have fun now.’ “

Every Halloween, the family become the pumpkin icons of Otis Orchards.

“When I was a kid, my mom would not let my sisters and me carve pumpkins,” Dan said. “I vowed when I had a family, I was going to let my kids have pumpkins and make a mess.”

It began small, as most interesting traditions do, but now their pumpkin displays are feature stories and an urban reality.

“Our son is compulsive. One year we carved 35 pumpkins, and he said, ‘Well anybody can do 35. Next year let’s do 50.’ We now call him the Pumpkin Nazi,” Dan said with a laugh.

The Frickles’ philosophy on relationships is straightforward.

“Don’t rush it, whatever your age,” Dan said.

“And have things in common,” Vicky offered.

They feel fortunate that they followed the same path together.

“We knew each other for a long period of time and went through the trials and tribulations of a rebellion,” Dan said.

“But we did it together,” Vicky added.

The family traditionally celebrates the Christmas season with dinner at Clinkerdagger. Over the years it’s expanded to include their son and his spouse, their daughter and her boyfriend and, of course, their grandson.

“I think we’d forfeit presents before our night at Clinks,” Dan said.

“We haven’t traveled overseas or jumped out of airplanes, but we’ve had a wonderful life, and our kids have grown up almost like we did,” Dan said smiling at his wife amid the backdrop of their peaceful backyard.