Love stories: Dance partners have been around the world and back
The words that Helen and Hal Biggerstaff heard just before their lives together began were “now take partners and dance.” That was 1939 and they’ve been dancing ever since.
“I was 18 and my beloved was 21 when me met, first with our eyes, across the dance floor … He was very shy and I wasn’t exactly an extrovert myself, but somehow we were drawn to each other,” writes Helen in her “memoirs.”
A couple of years ago, the Biggerstaffs began writing their story. Pages filled with passion, hardships, and excitement are contained in a three-ringed binder that they will hand down to their four children, 12 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.
It began in Portland at a beginners’ dance class at McElroy’s Ballroom. Helen positioned herself opposite Hal in the girls’ line so they could meet. Sparks flew, and when the dance ended they went to a nearby buttermilk shop. “Over a pitcher of buttermilk and two sandwiches, we compared and discussed backgrounds, goals and dreams,” wrote Hal.
They began dating on a low budget. One “expensive” date was made possible by a streak of luck when Hal found a wadded up $5 bill at his place of employment, which allowed the couple to attend the premier of “Gone with the Wind.” The tickets were $2.50 apiece.
Soon they were discussing marriage, but Helen’s aunt and uncle did not think that Hal could support Helen properly so they forbade them from dating any longer. “We were getting serious too fast … they wanted better for Helen.”
They were not apart for long. In September 1940, Hal heard that Helen was going to marry a dental student. “I thought it was all over,” wrote Hal. “On the spur of the moment, I decided to go to McElroy’s dance.” Luck was with Hal again when Helen walked in, dismissed the rumor of her impending marriage and they resumed dating even though her aunt and uncle still objected.
On Nov. 12, 1940, the couple wed in a $5 ceremony as 13 others watched. Helen’s aunt and uncle predicted that the marriage wouldn’t last six months. “We retired to our newly rented apartment as man and wife, starting a new phase of our lives,” Hal wrote.
Money was tight and some decisions had to be made. “I considered her an equal partner in making decisions – frank, honest discussions, then decision-making, the one with the best argument prevailed,” Hal recalled, “This was how I found out how stubborn she could be but never unreasonable. As we faced our challenges and problems and then worked together to solve them, it made me love this woman even more, if possible.”
Hal went back to school. The war was on and they rationed and used stamps for sugar and gas. Hal went off to war for a few years and when he returned, he resumed his studies. In June 1949 “We received our Bachelor’s of Science Degree because it never would have happened without Helen’s input.” Later, Hal earned his master’s degree in forest soil.
Hal began his career as a soil scientist with the Soil Conservation Service. His work took them to Hawaii for three months, followed by more years of travel for work and play. They went from Oregon to Washington to Idaho then on to Nigeria, where Hal trained Nigerians in soils and mapping and where Helen tramped through the bush country and supplied snacks from her knapsack. Then it was on to Italy, Greece, Austria, the Canary Islands, Paris, Holland, London, Afghanistan, Jerusalem, Iran and Egypt.
Together, they’ve lived and stayed in many places, from a tent to a farm. “Helen’s been a brave wife who could make a home from very little,” Hal said.
They explored, took risks, and lived life to the fullest, all the while dancing and finding strength and solace in one another. They adapted, worked things out and learned through experience to appreciate what they had.
Now they are settled comfortably in Spokane Valley. They still walk hand in hand. Helen still blushes and her eyes sparkle as Hal flirts with her. Their 66th wedding anniversary is coming up and they will celebrate it dancing.