A blind date leads to fulfilling marriage for Moorpark couple
A love story
By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com

SYLVIE BELMOND/Acorn Newspapers VALENTINES- In their 15-year marriage, Moorpark residents Ron and Julie St. Amand said they've learned that love should never be taken for granted; it must be nurtured and appreciated each day, they said. The two met on a blind date in 1989.

Nurturing a happy relationship with a loved one comes easy in the beginning, when two people have a great deal of passion and the desire to enjoy time together. However, such love and devotion can only persist when couples are committed to their relationship, dedicated to one another and willing to navigate jointly through the challenges of life.

"Love cannot be taken for granted," said Moorpark resident Julie St. Amand, who's been married to Ron for almost 15 years.

The St. Amand love story didn't start with a commitment, but it turned into one. When Julie agreed to go on a blind date her friend set up on Sept. 2, 1989, she didn't intend to fall in love with the stranger she was about to meet. At the time, she was just trying to make her current boyfriend jealous, hoping that he'd pay more attention to her, she said.

However, Ron's gentle ways derailed Julie's original plans.

And his intentions were different from the get-go: He looked at the blind date as a chance to meet someone with whom he could have a longterm relationship

"It was a time in my life where I was looking for someone to share the rest of my life with," said Ron.

Over time, as the two got to know each other, Julie began to fall in love with Ron's sense of humor and his good looks, she said. He was always happy and upbeat.

The couple married a few years later and began to build a life together.

"Ron is patient, kind and forgiving and he's a man who stands by you in hard times," Julie said.

"He's definitively a silver lining kind of guy and he helps me find it and embrace it as well."

Their love and commitment was seriously tested in 2004 when their infant son, Mason, died four days after he was born due to a heart defect.

The couple said they managed to stay together during those painful times because they supported each other and sought outside help.

"Even with a strong relationship, people grieve differently, so they need to get help to get through certain emotional levels and maintain communication," Ron said.

The traumatic event changed the couple's perspective on life, and it also made them grow in a new way, they said.

"Marriage and life survive but forever change. You take so much for granted, but a life-changing experience like this makes you realize you can't," the two agreed. Julie and Ron are now relishing the parenting experience with their toddler, Duncan.

The St. Amands operate a commercial construction business together and make time for family vacations. They've even begun to go on date nights again, they said.

"It's that closeness that you see on a day-to-day basis that's comforting," Ron said. Couples have to make a conscious effort to fulfill each other's needs so the relationship can thrive, Julie said. "I always felt committed to this marriage and to this man."