GILPIN COUNTY - It was September 1975 in Kremmling, Colorado, when Linda and Wes Isenhart crossed paths for the first time. The occasion? A post hay-season dance—an event that brought together the local ranching community for an evening of music and celebration. 

Linda’s uncle, Karl Knorr, owned Knorr Ranches between Silverthorne and Kremmling, while Wes had ties to Granby, where he attended high school.

Music flowed from a band of ranchers playing accordion, drums, and guitar, as Wes spotted Linda across the room. With a little courage, he asked her to dance. 

Before the night was over, he had her phone number—a small gesture that set in motion a lifetime together.

For their first date, they went to the circus. Though Linda’s allergies flared up, she made the best of it, and the two stayed connected from that moment on. 

By 1977, surrounded by friends and family, they were married. The total cost of the wedding? A mere $1,600…something nearly unimaginable today.

The Isenharts shared a vision of building their life in the mountains. 

Regular weekend trips from Denver to cross-country ski eventually led them to a real estate office at the corner of Karlann Drive and Highway 119. Hop Evans, the owner, showed them a few lots in Colorado Sierra. 

By 1984, they had built their house and begun raising their two children in Gilpin County.

Both Wes and Linda pursued diverse careers. Wes worked in computer programming for Land Title, while Linda focused on emergency and human services. She later served as a Gilpin County Commissioner. 

If they could choose their favorite moments, they would recall the births of their children, skiing together at Aspen Highlands while the kids raced, and hiking unforgettable trails like the Grand Canyon and James Peak. 

Linda’s proud moment of being sworn in as a county commissioner stands out, too.

Over the years, they faced many challenges together—raising their children, coping with the loss of loved ones, and navigating physical health issues.

For them, the keys to a lasting marriage are clear: treating each other as equals, consulting each other on big decisions, being honest, and allowing one another to grow at their own pace. 

“Sometimes one person grows faster than the other,” they explain.

These values have seen them through surgeries, moments of grief, and the ongoing adjustments of aging.

The couple continues to find joy in life’s simple pleasures, playing ping-pong or Rummikub, spending time with family at holiday dinners, and traveling to their timeshare in Puerto Vallarta. Through these moments, they keep their connection strong.

They also remain active in the community, especially through the local Democratic Party. Wes has found a second career in community journalism, writing for The Mountain-Ear. Sometimes Linda lends a hand, ensuring there are no dangling participles. 

Valentine’s Day for Wes and Linda is a time for meaningful reflection. They exchange heartfelt cards and take time to appreciate one another—small traditions that still carry weight after nearly five decades together. 

If they could send a message to their younger selves, Wes and Linda would say, “Don’t let work run your life. Save more and build a garage with the house.” 

But most of all, they’d remind themselves to enjoy the little things, those sweet moments that make life together so meaningful.

Now, after nearly 48 years, they continue to find joy in every adventure, every challenge, and every quiet moment spent side by side. Through it all, their love has remained strong—proof that sometimes all it takes is one dance to change your life forever.

Happy Valentine’s Day, Wes and Linda! Here’s to a partnership that continues to inspire.