Second chance for love

EAST COUNTY — A career sports reporter and editor, Earl LaChance gave unbiased reports from the world of boxing and high school athletics for the Patriot Ledger newspaper.

But one day in 1998, on a rare break to the deli, LaChance could not withhold his affection for the lady behind the counter.

“I was enamored,” LaChance said.

The woman, Vickie Earl, served LaChance a tuna sandwich. She prepared it like any other, without favoritism, without extra tuna and, even without potato chips.

“She didn’t think I was funny or handsome,” LaChance said.

LaChance returned a few weeks later.

“How about a kiss?” LaChance asked, revealing a chocolate Hershey’s Kiss in his palm.

“It was love at first bite,” LaChance said.

Now, Earl and Vickie LaChance, of Parrish, are happily married.

The creativeness and humor of Earl LaChance’s courtship, which won them the most votes in the Observer’s Love Story Contest, also defines their relationship.

It’s an unexpected relationship — a midlife second marriage for both.

Earl LaChance managed the campaign for the couple to win the Love Story contest.

After missing the deadline last year, Earl LaChance encouraged his coworkers at Target, where he works in the photo center, to vote.

He wrote the persuasive entry and pooled votes from family members. The 29 entries in the contest received 3,531 total votes — the LaChances’ story received 1,099 votes to make them the winner.

The LaChances will celebrate Valentine’s Day together with a romantic dinner on the rooftop at CasAntica Italian Restaurant in downtown Sarasota, a one-night stay at the Hyatt Regency, Sarasota and a pair of earrings from Carats Fine Jewelry & Watches.

“We’re thrilled for the opportunity,” Earl LaChance said.

When the couple first met, Earl LaChance had to win his wife’s love by earning the affection of her three children from her first marriage.

“I wasn’t looking for anyone,” Vickie LaChance said. “Who would want a woman with three kids?”

Earl and Vickie LaChance brought Vickie’s children — a high school-aged boy and two girls, in seventh and third grades, respectively — on their first date to a Boston Red Sox game.

On the third date the couple went bowling, with Vickie LaChance’s children in tow. Earl LaChance, a high school bowler and overall athlete who plays softball, pulled his groin.

The children admired how Earl LaChance fought through the injury and bowled strikes.

“Earl made my children feel a part of everything,” Vickie LaChance said.

After four years of dating, Earl LaChance proposed over dinner — alone.

He excused himself from the table and returned with a miniature treasure chest with a ring inside.

Vickie LaChance called her oldest daughter, who had stayed home with her siblings.

“Tell him we said yes,” the daughter said.

The LaChances married in 2002 during a low-key ceremony at a chapel.

In 2005, when Earl LaChance retired from the newspaper, the couple purchased a home in Parrish. They became full-time residents in 2007.

The couple enjoys playing trivia at the Polo Grill and Bar in Lakewood Ranch whenever possible; they won the last time they played.

Winning the Love Story contest carries more significance.

“It means we will be married for another year,” Earl LaChance said, laughing. “There’s a shelf life to everything.”

The perfect date
This year’s Love Story contest elicited almost 30 lovely stories on how our readers met, fell in love — and, most importantly, have stayed in love. The winners, Earl and Vickie LaChance, are looking forward to their perfect date night out.

The LaChances won a romantic dinner on the rooftop at CasAntica Italian Restaurant in downtown Sarasota, a one-night stay at the Hyatt Regency, Sarasota and a pair of earrings from Carats Fine Jewelry & Watches.

CasAntica owner Peter Migliaccio says his wife, Susan, makes sure to decorate the restaurant with red hearts for Valentine’s Day. Other romantic touches include a classical guitarist who will serenade the couple while they enjoy dinner on the restaurant’s private rooftop, as well as a complimentary bottle of Champagne.

“We try to make it simple and very romantic,” Migliaccio says.

Contact Josh Siegel at [email protected].