How They Met: Hooch honeymoon

How a producer saved Mark Kelley’s career and stole his heart

Investigative journalist Mark Kelley, co-host of CBC’s The Fifth Estate, landed his first television gig with the CBC 23 years ago. Little did he know that gig would also introduce him to the love of his life, Angela Yazbek. 

How they met
My first job in television was as CBC’s correspondent at the legislature in Quebec City back in 1993. I was pretty awful. CBC sent in a producer to help me. Angela turned my career around and stole my heart at the same time. So I married her. She quit TV producing and started producing kids instead. We had four boys in a little over four years. 

The first date
First date was a Tony Bennett concert at the Theatre Capitole in Quebec City, sometime in 1994. He was so good he made me look good. Years later, I interviewed Tony and thanked him for helping to bring my wife and I together. 

The proposal
I carried the wedding ring around with me for about two months, waiting for the perfect moment to propose. We went skiing one weekend at Sugarloaf in Maine, staying alone in a beautiful chalet. A blizzard outside, roaring fire inside, seemed like a pretty perfect moment to me. 

The honeymoon
We drove the coast of California. And drank heaps of great wine. 

The kids 
Our four boys are now all teenagers, ages 18, 17 and twins who are 14. 

Balancing work and marriage
Very carefully. I travel often for work while she holds down the fort. She became a yoga teacher to help her find the right balance in life. She keeps me grounded in her.

Secret to success 
We both know marriage can be hard work, so we commit ourselves to doing the work. And drink heaps of wine.

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