“It was probably the best day of my life,” Diane Haight said, smiling. Her husband, Dick agreed that it was his best day as well.
They don’t remember the exact date that it happened, but the Haights know that the best day of their lives was the day they met each other. Dick was working at Miller Hospital, now named United Children’s Hospital, as a pharmacist and Diane was a nurse at the same hospital. While doing pharmacy rounds, Dick ran into Diane, who was working on the same floor, and they hit it off. After having several conversations, Dick asked Diane to go to a hockey game with him. “I said yes,” Diane smiled. “From there, our relationship grew.”
In addition to working as a pharmacist, Dick also rowed on a rowing team. So, when he proposed to Diane after dating for about a year and a half, they knew that their wedding date would revolve around the rowing team. With that in mind, they picked September 16, 1967, the first weekend that Dick had free. Diane was happy with the day that would be her wedding anniversary. “I always wanted a fall wedding,” she remarked.
The wedding took place at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Diane’s hometown of Watkins, Minn. After the wedding, they purchased a house close to the hospital where they both still worked, and it was there that they lived for the next 35 years. During that time, they had three children, Barbara, Susan, and Bill.
The Haights frequently attended family reunions in the Lanesboro area and fell in love with the community. When it was time to start thinking about retirement, they asked their local relatives to keep an eye out for available property near Lanesboro. When four acres of land was put up for sale on a hill just a few miles outside of Lanesboro, they knew it was where they wanted to spend their retirement. They built a beautiful log home, big enough to share with their family and friends. “We love it, and we’ve been very happy here,” Diane expressed.
Dick and Diane were drawn to the Lanesboro area by the friendliness of the people, the arts and culture, and the beautiful scenery. “The diversity of the population makes it unique,” said Diane. “It’s really nice to see that.” The couple have immersed themselves in the community, becoming involved in many ways. Dick served as president of the Arts Board for
seven years and both are very active with Over the Back Fence as well as other organizations and events.
On September 16, 2017, Dick and Diane reached 50 years of marriage and the next day, they had a party to celebrate at Cedar Valley Resort.
“I feel blessed that God gave me such a neat gentleman,” Diane said. Neither she nor Dick can believe that it’s been 50 years since they first said their vows.
The couple attributes the longevity and success of their marriage to mutual respect and spending plenty of time together. They also take their wedding vows very seriously. “There’s always going to be down days and up days, but they’re part of life, and they make you appreciate life more,” Diane commented. “I’m just the luckiest person in the world to have Dick. He’s very thoughtful and kind.”
Dick agreed, adding, “Religion and going to church is a pretty big part of it too.” He and Diane currently attend Elstad Lutheran Church outside of Lanesboro.
“Be patient, be tolerant, be flexible,” Dick replied when asked what advice he would give a newly married couple. “Never go to bed angry. Start each day off on a good foot.”
“Be a good listener,” Diane added. “I think it’s respecting each other and also, for me, that you always realize that this is a gift from God.”
Dick and Diane have three children and three grandchildren, who they enjoy spending time with whenever possible. They look forward to many more happy years together.
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