John picked Judy up on a street corner.
Fret not, we haven't plagiarised the pages of a penny dreadful romance, rather it's the real life story of how one of Rotorua's most high profile couples, the late John Keaney and his widow Judy met.
There's a glint in the former mayoress' eye as she recounts it. It's a great conversation starter, or stopper - as the case may be.
The reality is Judy, then living in New Plymouth, was heading to a friend's Thames wedding and it was arranged 'JK' (as he was widely known) would meet her on Tauranga's Faulkner's Corner to drive her there.
It was inspired, if unintended matchmaking.
"I think we bonded right from the beginning."
Drawn as they were to each other, John insisted she go ahead with the OE she'd planned with two girlfriends.
When the milking season ended the Ngakuru dairy farmer joined the trio for what for 'OEers' in the 1960s, was virtually an obligatory jaunt around Europe.
"John always said if he could spend three months travelling with a bunch of women he could do anything."
Recent Rotorua history records what an enormous amount John Keaney did do, and what his widow has done and continues to do, for this region. Ditch any notion this was what today would be called a power couple.
Outstanding as she was in the mayoress' role, Judy's never been a 'mere accessory on her husband's arm' she's a woman of enormous personal achievement.
When friction erupted between the Princess of Wales Health Camp school and management it was specialist teacher-speech therapist Judy who was appointed to sort it out.
Becoming mayoress of Rotorua's first district council had never featured on her radar.
As a mother of four her hands were full (13 months separate her oldest son and daughter) and as they grew older she returned to speech therapy, initially at Queen Elizabeth Hospital before joining the multi-disciplinary team at the then Child Potential Unit.
But it was the 1979 amalgamation of Rotorua's city and county councils that brought a seismic change to her life's course. John, then county chairman, was elected the district's inaugural mayor, ergo Judy the new council's 'first lady'.
It was a brush with local authority bureaucracy that led "JK" to seek election.
"A weed inspector gave him a 'bluey' to get rid of blackberry on the roadside.
"John was incensed, he'd always prided himself on his clean farm, so he stood and got on."
Little was demanded of a county councillor's wife, but that stepped up a notch when "JK" became county chairman.
"In 1972 we had to meet the Queen because the [Rotorua] airport was in the county. I borrowed a friend's hat, it was pretty nerve wracking."
When the mayoress' role pitched up she sought advice from a city predecessor.
"She said 'always make sure John's shirts are ironed and shoes polished'. I thought 'this just isn't me', I wanted the job to be a more fulfilling".
That's a statement that speaks volumes for her own community contribution, recognised with a QSM (Queen's Service Medal).
Topping the bill of highlights of the 14 years Judy wore the mayoress' chain was a Chatham Islands visit.
"Peter Tapsell [Eastern Maori MP] asked John to help with a review of the Chatham's economic viability and structure . . . an amazing place, the first time I'd had crayfish for morning tea."
When "JK" stepped down from the mayoralty Judy returned to speech therapy working part time at Sunset Primary, but with the formation of the Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust (RECT) she again altered course, being elected one of its foundation members.
"I stood because I knew our community well and thought I had something to offer."
She offered that "something" for 16 years and, with the next triennial election looming has advice for those who've remained on the trust far longer than she did. It's that they quit.
"It's time for change, absolutely, for new people with new ideas, not just the same old same old."
Judy's an avid supporter of RECT and its accomplishments, reminding us it was the country's first charitable trust of its kind.
"We started off with $33 million within a few years that had leapt to $90 million, as a result it's given the district so many wonderful assets."
In 2007 and with "JK's" health not the best the Keaney's became "townies".
Since her husband's death in January 2009 Judy's retained her links with the rural sector via the Upper Atiamuri farm John bought her.
"He wanted me to be independent and I miss his advice and guidance dreadfully".
There's a 50-50 sharemilker on the property but Judy oversees the administration "that's what keeps me busy".
This summer's drought's been a major worry.
"I guess by going to work in town I was not a real rural woman but now I have a real connection with them."
Judy Keaney (Nee Wells)
Born: Dunedin, 1939
Education: Balclutha Primary, South Otago High School and Tauranga College, Ardmore Teachers' College, studied speech therapy in Christchurch
Family: Widow of the late John Keaney. Sons Mark and Andrew, daughters Joanne and Sandra. Six grandsons, six granddaughters
Interests: Family, Growing Through Grief programme for youngsters suffering loss, member Mahi Tahi Akoranga Trust providing te reo and tikanga courses to prisoners, member women's service organisation Quota, ex Rotorua president and district governor, convenor past three years for Quota-organised National Mahjong Tournament (is an avid player); theatre (patron Rotorua Little Theatre), foundation member Spectrum club, present committee member, "a bit of gardening", reading (autobiographies and biographies), music
Royal and local recognition: Queen's Service Medal for community service (awarded at same time late husband received CBE; Queen's (50th) Jubilee Medal; Paul Harris Fellow (presented by Rotorua Rotary Club)
Personal Philosophy: "Make the most of every day and take every opportunity presented to you."