It was Halloween 2002 when Fat Albert met the ’80s aerobics instructor that would make him want to stay fit and active for life.
When Blake Eagle painted his skin dark and donned a fat suit that fateful evening, he clearly wasn’t looking for love. An Olivia Newton-John-inspired
Angela Johnson figured her costume would be well-suited for dancing the weekend away.
“We were really shaking it on the dance floor,” Blake recalls. “But we were only able to talk for a moment because the music was loud, and then she had to leave. I gave her my number to call, but she never did. A few weeks went by with me thinking about her and asking everyone I knew if they had met this incredible girl.”
Despite her coyness, Angie concedes, “There was definitely a spark at first sight.”
So when he tracked her down at Smith Sport Optics and enticed a friend to put in a good word for him, she agreed to a first date.
“When I knocked on the door, I was a little nervous to see what she actually looked like, and I believe she felt the same,” Blake remembers.
“She opened the door with the biggest smile of delight and we ended up sitting on the couch and talking all night. It felt like we were old friends reuniting and we had a great evening getting to know each other.”
And so began the three-year slow dance that eventually led the Spokane native to get engaged to the girl from Virginia Beach, Virginia, and wed in the summer of 2006.
The couple lives in Hailey now. Angie is still with Smith, and Blake, an independent carpentry contractor, heads the newly formed Blake Eagle Construction. They are still trying to make time for a honeymoon, perhaps this summer, a tour of bed-and-breakfasts along the Washington and Oregon coasts.
LOVE AMONG THE LEGUMES
It was at their Hailey home that Blake proposed. The couple had planted a garden together and enjoyed the process of nurturing it as it grew strong and they began to harvest the vegetables. The couple was working in their garden a few days before a birthday trip to Glacier National Park when Blake directed Angie’s view to a spot among some new cucumbers where she spotted a ring box in the greenery.
Blake got down on one knee and began his prepared speech about why he wanted her as his wife, but Angie tackled him with a resounding “yes!” The couple celebrated their September birthdays and their engagement for the next 10 days of vacation.
FORESIGHT IS 20/20
The couple, who seem to have an unspoken understanding about many things in their lives, found they were in harmony over the wedding plans, as well.
“We learned we were more alike than we thought,” Angie says.
“We knew we wanted it to be comfortable and somewhat casual,” Blake says, with the wedding must-haves of “family, good friends, good food and libations, the mountains and flip-flops.”
The couple relied on family and friends to serve as wedding planning assistants, and they rose to the occasion.
“Without them, our day would not have been the same,” Angie praises.
The couple immediately decided the location would be Stanley because they loved the area and thought it would be the perfect place to showcase Idaho to visiting friends and family.
With the location scouted, the couple focused on the details, most of which they were able to gather locally, or as close as Idaho Falls and Boise.
Angie’s dress, veil and shoes, as well as the bridesmaid dresses, came from Paula’s in Ketchum. Michele Minailo-Jefferson personalized the gown with her alteration talents. DeEtte Lindberg designed the necklace and matching earrings to (complement) her ivory dress. Blake’s grey suit came from To The Nynes in Boise and groomsmen wore matching grey shirts with green ties. >>>
They called on friends Tim and Becky Cron, owners of Stanley Baking Co., to host their rehearsal dinner.
For the actual wedding, Angie’s father, Walter, performed the service, thanks to his ordination through the Universal Life Church. Allyson Johnson, now new owner of Petals and Stems in Hailey, provided the flowers. Wine from Frenchman’s Gulch Winery and beer from Hayden Beverage complemented appetizers supplied by Maya Lovlien of Hailey’s Big Belly Deli.
Idaho Falls summer-season caterers Douglas Dameron and his son Todd prepared the post-nuptial meal of chicken, ribs, vegetables, rice, bread and baked potatoes in Dutch ovens. Rather than a cake, the couple opted for three different fruit cobblers baked on site.
Signature Party Rentals, also from Idaho Falls, provided the tables and chairs and other rental needs to keep guests comfortable under the tent at Stanley City Park. Local D.J. Lenny Joseph was in charge of the entertainment.
Danner’s Cabins, in downtown Stanley, rented all of their cabins to the wedding party for a perfect place to stay in close proximity to all wedding events.
An important wedding detail was the choice of photographer, Craig Wolfrom.
“We were so glad to have such a great photographer,” Angie says. “We didn’t really need to discuss specifics with Craig, but we knew he would capture the day just like we wanted. And after the wedding, he helped us prepare an album that was included in his package price.”
Just after the ceremony, the couple and their dog Milo coasted away in a classic orange Meyers Manx dune buggy provided by best man Mike Stevens. They rode to Stanley Lake for a few more pictures, satisfying their desire for waterside services.
“I guess one thing we thought was missing from the wedding was having it by the water,” Angie says. “But it’s hard to have the best of both worlds, mountains and the beach, so a quick trip to Stanley Lake was our way to fit this into our day. It also was a great time to take a moment and reflect on the commitment we had just made to each other.”
Perhaps the most significant detail was the choice of someone so close to the couple to perform their ceremony.
“It meant a great deal to me to have my father walk me down the aisle and then lead us in our vows. At first, I thought it may be too hard on any father to conduct the service that would marry his only daughter. But he did an incredible job and we could not have pictured anyone else standing up with us.”
The couple’s post-wedding year has been busy, as they spend time building Blake’s business and remodeling their Hailey townhome.
Though their home might need some changes, the couple says there is nothing about their special day they would have done differently.
“We do wish we had had more time to spend with friends and family who came from out of town for the wedding.” So, as for advice, Angie says the cliché is true, “Relax and enjoy your wedding day because it goes by so fast.”