When Barbara Friedman and David Blanken first met, sports weren’t exactly the spark—but they weren’t far behind. Back in 1996, online dating was still rare, and Barbara’s rule was to only meet men from out of town. David, living in Washington, D.C., fit the bill. Their whirlwind romance was nothing short of legendary: on just their second date, David invited Barbara’s 14-year-old son to play racquetball at Arrowood Resort. The very next day, he proposed—and 10 days after their first date, they were engaged! “David was always great on the court,” Barbara jokes.

Since then, this dynamic duo has shared a love of sports that has become central to their life together. From golf, tennis, and bocce to swimming, canasta, and even bowling—they’re game for just about anything. In fact, they’re former Ibis bowling league champions under the fitting team name Love Birds!

David was the one who introduced Barbara to most of her favorite activities, including golf, tennis, and swimming—he even bought her her very first pair of goggles. Now, Barbara swims every morning for an hour, and the two still bowl together once a week during the season. Tennis remains a shared favorite, with both having played on Ibis teams last year.

Of course, David admits he’s the more competitive one, while Barbara takes a lighter approach. “When we first played tennis together, I used to get nervous about disappointing him,” she recalls. “But as I got better, he relaxed more.” Still, no matter the game, they always cheer each other on.

Memorable sports moments? For Barbara, it was the first time David complimented her golf swing. For David, his highlights include finishing second in the club championship, hitting a hole-in-one, and celebrating a bowling league championship with friends Bob and Wendy Weiner.

Their philosophy when one of them is having an “off” day? Keep it in perspective. “We’re not professionals—it doesn’t matter if we win or lose. Any day we get to play a sport is a good day.”

It’s a mindset that extends beyond the courts and courses. For 28 years, Barbara and David have been teammates in life, raising their blended family of four children together. Whether it’s competing in sports, parenting as a team, or sharing adventures like racing at K-1 or playing putt-putt at PopStroke, they’ve mastered the balance of fun and partnership.

Barbara handles the post-game snacks (usually power bars), while David insists that if you’re going to play—you should always play to win. Together, they strike the perfect balance of competition and camaraderie.

“Remember, it’s just a game—have fun, and be grateful you can play,” Barbara says. David, ever the competitor, adds with a grin: “Play to win! Otherwise, why play?”