Love That Lasts - Dave and Connie Pecinovsky Celebrate 60 Years Together

 Love was quite literally in the air when Dave and Connie Pecinovsky first crossed paths at their senior prom in 1963. Ironically, neither was with the other that night. Both attended with different dates, unaware that their brief encounter would be the start of a love story now 60 years strong.

   After prom, Dave continued to see Connie around town, and a connection slowly formed during a year filled with both hope and heartbreak. Later in 1963, Connie’s father passed away in a tragic farming accident involving a field chopper, a loss that deeply affected her and her family.

   That same year, Dave faced a life-changing decision of his own. Holding a high draft number and knowing he would likely be called, he chose to enlist voluntarily. Dave was sworn into the military on December 4, 1963, and sent to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. A month later, he returned home for Christmas — and looked Connie up.

   One evening, the two crossed paths at Matter’s Ballroom. Dave asked if he could take Connie home, but her mother had a firm rule: “The way you go is the way you come home.” Connie stayed put. Before leaving, Dave asked for her address — a simple moment that would soon mean everything.

   The following Monday, Dave left for eight weeks of basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. After that, he was stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, later receiving orders for Vietnam and training at Fort Bragg, Georgia. Through it all, one thing remained constant: letters.

   Dave wrote Connie almost every day.

   “They were very nice letters,” Connie recalled with a smile.

The Wedding:

   Before Dave had to ship out, they actually spent very little time together in person. However, their relationship grew through words, patience, and commitment. After Dave returned home, just a month and a half passed before the two were married on January 29, 1966.

The wedding color was blue, almost an aqua shade that both Connie and Dave agreed on, they both really liked blue. Connie had a maid of honor and two bridesmaids, Dave had a Best Man and two ushers. 

   It was a wedding neither would ever forget — partly because of the love, and partly because of the weather. That January day brought temperatures dipping to an unbelievable 34 degrees below zero. 

   They were married at the Catholic Church in Waukon, with a reception at the Vets Club. Dave and his groomsmen discovered quickly that pop and beer freeze solid at those temperatures when left outside. At noon, it was still 20 below.