Happily Ever After

The next morning was lifted off of the pages of a fairytale — at least, to hear Dave tell it. 

The sky in Elgin, Illinois on July 31, 1998 was filled with “beautiful puffy white clouds,” Dave said, “… it was a perfect day.”

Pam had woken up anxious – she’s not a big fan of July’s typical hot weather, and she wanted her wedding day to be perfect. 

“I’m a nature person,” Pam said. “For some reason, that was a big deal to me – what kind of day it was.”

Fortunately for her, it seemed as though even nature bowed before the couple’s romance — they were blessed with the cool temperatures and “beautiful blue sky” that she’d wished for.

The venue was a beautiful, historic pavilion – the perfect place that incorporated the art she loved and the history he admired. 

The perfect place to say “I do.” 

Pam and Dave’s wedding was the personification of the biggest values the newlywed couple shared — an intimate gathering of their family and closest friends who sang, shared bible-verses, and celebrated their marriage.

The last day of July would be the first day of the rest of their lives – it was the first night that kicked off a relationship full of adventure. 

The Witzigs’ honeymoon took place in Vancouver, Canada, where the pair admired the beautiful scenery, hiked, and went whale watching. 

“90% chance of seeing a whale in the advertisement,” Dave said. “There was no whale.”

Since then — from Vancouver to Paris, from Austria to Jamaica, from Italy to Wales — the couple has traveled across the world, something Dave had rarely experienced until he met Pam. 

The farthest he’d ever been before their honeymoon was Indiana. Once. When he was 10.

“In my life, you kind of just… stayed where you were at” Dave said. “Ever since I married her, I’ve gone to places I’ve never been…[and] I really appreciate that about her.”

While their love has taken the Witzigs across continents, the couple built roots in Normal, creating a home for their four kids — all of whom are past, current, or future Ironmen — another love the couple shares.

“It’s been really cool that we’ve been able to share our job at Normal Community,” Pam said. “We met here… We’re trying to make a difference. It’s nice to be able to share that with your spouse.”

Pam took a break from teaching to raise their kids, but returned to Community after 13 years away, intentionally returning to the home of the Ironmen because of Dave.

This July, the couple will celebrate a great milestone — their silver anniversary. They’ve made it nearly halfway to fulfilling Dave’s 60-year promise.

Reflecting on the couple’s relationship, he has to admit that “it’s weird” to think about sometimes. 

“At one moment, I was single,” Dave said. “Nothing’s going on. And next thing, I have four kids, my wife… and 25 years of marriage.”

She was an artist, he was an athlete. 

She was the oldest of her siblings, he was the youngest.

She wanted to see the world, he never had the chance to. 

Their differences may have been great, but the love that bonded them was even greater. 

They were both ready to experience the love of a lifetime — a love that forever changed their lives.