What does true love look like?

For Valentine's Day, the majority searches for the meaning of true love. Few are more blessed than the ProClean Group, whose founders, Kate and Dave DeBlander, share one of the greatest love stories of all time. With more than 45 years of marriage, a daughter, son-in-law, two wonderful grandchildren and a lifetime of wisdom under their belts, Kate and Dave’s romance is both an adventure and an incredible example of lasting love.

How It All Began

Dave always says that the moment he set eyes on Kate from across the room, he knew she was going to be his wife. It was 1974, the hippie days, and Kate was living in a free-spirited hippie community in Boulder, Colorado when Dave arrived in town. A whirlwind romance ensued with the pair marrying on June 21, 1976, because Kate thought it was “cosmic” as all the stars were aligned on the Summer Solstice!

The Next Chapter

Kate and Dave moved to Madison, Wisconsin, and channeled their passion for healthy living into a natural foods bakery and restaurant. Shortly after the birth of their daughter Kali, Kate and Dave became Christians, which soon became the foundation of their life and shifted their focus from the bohemian trends.

Finding New Passions

The DeBlanders followed God's calling to Pensacola, Florida in 1990, selling their organic bakery and restaurant of 16 years. Dave enrolled in Bible School and started cleaning residential carpets to make ends meet. That little carpet cleaning business was the beginning of the ProClean Group that we know today! Kate found success with Mary Kay Cosmetics, building a strong sales team, earning lots of pink Cadillacs and eventually becoming a National Sales Director, the highest position in the company. Through it all, Kate and David continued to invest in their relationship and foster the love that began in 1974.  It's easy to hear such a fairytale love story and swoon, but the DeBlanders remind everyone that their relationship takes work, too. 

Kate and David cite their shared faith and strong friendship as the foundation of their romance. They prioritize their relationship each day with reflection and prayer time. They love being active, enjoying our beautiful Pensacola Beach where they now live. Their home is 5 doors away from Kali, her husband Josh, their two grandkids Braeden and Maddy. Family time is a big priority as well as spending time with friends and being involved with their church. They love traveling the world together, and the pair have visited 24 countries to date. Today, Kate and David share their warmth with the ProClean family as well, and love serving Pensacola with the same steadfast enthusiasm, being involved with 5 local non profits.

Words of Wisdom

After nearly 50 years of love, friendship, and marriage, Kate and David have three tips for couples looking to create a bond that stands the test of time: 

1) Enjoy one another. 

Have fun! Don’t sweat the small stuff! See the good in one another and find shared activities that you both enjoy. Keep your sense of humor and don’t take yourself too seriously! And forgive one another. No one is perfect. 

2) Be willing to work on your relationship.

No matter what stage in the relationship, Kate and Dave agree that marriage will require some hard work and patience. Being willing to set your own expectations aside and walk into your relationship with arms wide open, ready to love and accept your spouse’s strengths and flaws, can completely change your perspective. It’s also important to grow together. Dave and Kate are enthusiastic about being life-time learners. 

3) Invest in God Together Daily 

More than anything, Kate and Dave are dedicated to investing in their Christian faith and applying that faith to their relationships with each other and those around them. Most mornings they share a time of prayer and reflection that sets their priorities for the day and allows them to be consistent in setting time aside for each other. 

The DeBlanders’ faith permeates every aspect of their lives, but every relationship has a myriad of opportunities to grow and invest. Maybe that means a shared hobby, scheduled date night, or even just holding hands at the end of the day. Whatever you do, the DeBlanders recommend prioritizing your spouse with a consistent investment in God and your relationship. 

This Valentine’s Day, let Kate and David’s love story inspire you to share your heart with the ones you love!