The Admiral Theater has found a couple to participate in its “Mamma Mia!” themed wedding, and their story is particularly appropriate for the event.

Melodie Anderson, 64, and John Babcock, 60, have been dating, on and off, for the past 18 years. The couple met at a holistic health practitioner school while they were living in San Diego.

Initially, they were just friends. But through intensely personal classes they learned the most intimate details of each other’s lives.

“He was just a really good friend in the beginning,” says Melodie. “But he would bring me picnic lunches at work, it was kind of sweet.”

For the most part, their romance was sporadic and without any firm commitment. They spent years dating other people, but always seemed to come back to each other.

“We were committed on a spiritual level,” she explains.

When she opened her own business, Melodie says John was always there to help out, even at times when they were romantically involved.
Melodie says that he’s always been very stable while she’s more of a risk taker. Together, they balance each other out.

Then, in February of 2006 Melodie told John that she would be moving up to Seattle to spend more time with her grandchildren. Without her asking he began searching for jobs in the rainy city and eventually moved up with her.

After a year and a few months living in Seattle, Melodie found out she had cancer. John was there for her through numerous treatments, caring for her and treating her to massages.

“He was so sweet through that,” remembers Melodie. “He never complained about anything.”

Thankfully, Melodie is in remission today, but the experience reminded both of them how short life is and soon the two decided they should get married.

“It’s just kind of like it’s the right time,” says Melodie.

The couple got a marriage license in December but due to the current economy, weren’t able to have a wedding before it expired.

But recently Melodie was listening to KOMO News radio when she heard that the Admiral Movie Theater was looking for a couple to get married during a showing of the “Mamma Mia!” sing-a-long. She was instantly intrigued.

The movie is based off the music of Abba, which the couple says is their generation’s music. After hearing about the contest the two rented the film and watched it for the first time, noticing that the romance between the characters Donna and Sam was very similar to their own.

“I thought yes, this is us!” says Melodie.

Dinah Brein McClellan, director of Entertainment and Promotions at the Admiral Theater, couldn’t agree more.

“I loved their story and the fact that it mirrors the movie, ” says McClellan. “I saw that they were sincere and it just really felt right.”

The Mamma Mia! sing-a-long, previewed by Melodie and John’s wedding, is open to the public and will take place at the Admiral Theater on March 14.