When friends of Ken and Kathy Belka speak of the newlyweds, they agree the two are one in a million.

“Ken made no mistake by finding Kathy,” Tootie Elmore said. “Ken is very dedicated to her and giving her things that she has never been exposed to.”

What’s special about Ken and Kathy is that their love came later in life following previous successful marriages.

“We have 98 years of marriage experience between us,” Ken said. “We know what it is like to love and to lose that love, and God has given us a second chance.”

Ken’s first wife, Judy, to whom he was married for 56 years, died a little more than a year ago. Kathy’s first husband, Ron, died five years ago following 42 years of marriage.

“I felt like I would find someone,” Kathy said. “My older sister has lost two husbands and is married to her third husband. I felt like, if she could do it, I could do it.”

On July 22, 2011, Ken and Kathy met for the first time at a senior dance at the Collins Green Grange Hall off Canyon Road.

“She was wearing a purple-and-white dress,” Ken said. “Her smile looked like the sun was coming up. I noticed her beautiful black eyebrows. I knew that she was the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.”

Ken approached Kathy at the dance. They sat together for a potluck dinner, and Ken asked Kathy if she’d like to have dinner that night.

Within a matter of seven days, Ken went after Kathy and proposed to her on one knee. He said he’s old fashioned that way.

On July 29, Kathy told Ken that she would have to think about his proposal.

“I wanted to make sure it was the best thing for both of us,” she said.

After a lot of soul searching and talking it over with friends, Kathy decided Ken was the one. When Ken proposed again on July 31, Kathy’s answer was yes.

“I want the whole world to know how much I love her and how comfortable she makes me,” Ken said. “I promised her that every day will be a honeymoon.”

Ken and Kathy were married, surrounded by friends and family, on Nov. 12 at Edgewood Unity Church.

Ken, 81, has three daughters and a son from his first marriage. Kathy has a son and daughter from her first marriage.

Ken cared for his first wife for 11 years through her illness.

“Ken is a gentleman and very nice,” said Kathy’s friend, Sharren Ackerman. “She took care of his wife for years when she was ill. It takes a great guy to do that.”

Today, Ken and Kathy agree they enjoy eating at Denny’s and having ice cream Sundaes.

“It’s good to be with someone after so many years of being alone,” Kathy said. “We want to start dancing again and traveling to places. My (first) husband and I were so close, and I was missing that companionship.”

“You never say never,” Ken said. “There is always someone out there.”

Ken and Kathy are both proud of their previous marriages. Kathy has an American flag framed on the wall in their South Hill home to honor Ron’s military service. Ken has a framed picture of Judy on the wall.

Both Ken and Kathy talk openly about their previous spouses and are proud of what they have found with each other.

“I told Kathy that I would always love her, honor her, cherish her, protect her and provide for her until the day I die,” Ken said. “I’m very lucky to have her as my wife.”

Reporter Andrew Fickes can be reached at 253-841-2481, ext. 313, or by email at andrew.fickes@puyallupherald.com. Follow him on Twitter, @herald_andrew.