Every e-mail sent in for our Good Day love stories was special, but the story of the Ilitzky's was especially heartwarming. Their nearly 30-year marriage is proof of the old saying, "when the going gets tough, the tough get going."
Walking through a busy Marietta square, they look like any other happily married couple. But Richard and Kara Lynn Ilitzky have a story to tell, one that begins with a brash young sailor and a silly USO game.
"All the adults sat in a circle, and you had to walk around the circle and very quickly sit down on someone's lap and look them in the eye and say, 'I love you honey, but I can't make you smile!' And if they smile, they got to get up. It's their turn," said Richard.
Richard ended up in Kara Lynn's lap, and she didn't smile
"This guy is cocky. And I'm not falling prey to him," said Kara Lynn.
It didn't last long. They were married in San Diego 28 years ago. First comes love, then comes marriage, and you know what's next.
"Paul, Garrett, Carson and Josh," said Kara Lynn
Raising four boys is not easy, but the couple's greatest challenge was to come.
"In the last five years my wife's health has declined due to multiple auto immune diseases," said Richard.
This is where their story truly becomes a love story, and the words "through sickness and health" are tested.
"He works a full-time job at one place and on weekends, he sells popcorn and peanuts on street corners so we have money for doctor's appointments and to put groceries on the table. And that's what love is," said Kara Lynn.
It's a love so strong Richard wrote Good Day a letter.
"I was in love from the first moment I was introduced to her...," read Richard. The letter closed with a Valentine wish far sweeter than flowers and chocolates. "...and with love and hope, we will spend another 28 years or more together."
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:37 AM EDT2013-05-22 14:37:15 GMT
You've seen us handing out Good Day Gas Money for weeks now, and Gurvir and Karen have met plenty of those lucky winners in person.
You've seen us handing out Good Day Gas Money for weeks now, and Gurvir and Karen have met plenty of those lucky winners in person. But Paul turned up the heat when he enlisted the help of two actresses from the new movie Operation Heat to play a little prank on his unsuspecting coworkers.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:30 AM EDT2013-05-22 14:30:53 GMT
Does your summer road trip include mouth-watering stops at mom-and-pop eateries? Ours does, and it'll be even better with the help of a new Southern Living book!
Off the Eaten Path: Second Helpings is dedicated to finding the best meals in the south-- and it features some great restaurants right here in north Georgia. Good Day's Paul Milliken checked out two of those gems-- The Hil in Serenbe, and Weaver D's in Athens! As usual, he didn't leave hungry.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:17 AM EDT2013-05-22 14:17:14 GMT
The new season of Masterchef features a local contestant from the metro area! Jessie Lysiak is from Social Circle, and she's about to make her big debut on the hit FOX show.
The new season of Masterchef features a local contestant from the metro area! Jessie Lysiak is from Social Circle, and she's about to make her big debut on the hit FOX show. But first, she stopped by Good Day to cook us up one of her favorite recipes.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:56 AM EDT2013-05-22 13:56:24 GMT
Americans are known for their pearly whites, but we pay for it—and it isn't cheap.
Americans are known for their pearly whites, but we pay for it—and it isn't cheap. If you have more than one child who needs braces, you have quite an expense on your hands—but FOX 5 I-Team reporter Dana Fowle found some ways to make it a little more manageable.
This week's Good Day Casting Call is loaded with opportunities! Whether you're a jock, a hipster, or a funky-looking worker (WHAT?), there's a job on the big screen for you!
This week's Good Day Casting Call is loaded with opportunities! Whether you're a jock, a hipster, or a funky-looking worker (WHAT?), there's a job on the big screen for you!
Our own Katie Beasley is about to get hitched! She's finally finished planning her big day, and she did lots of it herself. She let us in on her DIY secrets on Good Day!
Our own Katie Beasley is about to get hitched! She's finally finished planning her big day, and she did lots of it herself. She let us in on her DIY secrets on Good Day!
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:29 AM EDT2013-05-22 13:29:22 GMT
Summer is almost here, and that means lots of people will be hitting the roads on vacation. But before you go, don't forget to give your car a little TLC to get it ready for the highway.
Summer is almost here, and that means lots of people will be hitting the roads on vacation. But before you go, don't forget to give your car a little TLC to get it ready for the highway.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 8:51 AM EDT2013-05-22 12:51:47 GMT
Chances are your child or someone in your child's class has at least one food allergy.
Chances are your child or someone in your child's class has at least one food allergy. A study by the CDC released last week shows that one in every 20 kids is dealing with food allergies. It's a challenge, but doctors say it's important that kids get diagnosed and treated.
