Couples share long-lasting love

Valentine’s Day — Feb. 14 — is a day when love is expressed with celebrations, gifts and greetings. It’s a day when love and romance is celebrated around the world.

And while the true legend of Valentine’s Day is obscure, one thing is quite clear — the couples here have lived the long-lasting test of their love for each other for decades.

There are exemplary couples, whose love for each other is so long-lasting that they should be celebrated.

They have endured because they have love and respect for each other, they communicate well, they don’t have to be right all the time and they work at getting along. We celebrate them this Valentine’s Day.

BY FLORA REIGADA

At age 15, Nancy Abner of Titusville cried when her mother insisted she go to Vacation Bible School in Jessup, Georgia. The teen’s family had just moved there, and she didn’t know anyone. But she came home smiling, because that day, she met the love of her life, Charles Abner.

The couple have been married 55 years. They have three children and nine grandchildren. Visiting them is the Abners’ favorite pastime.

“The secret to our long marriage is persistence and staying with it,” she said. “I would encourage young marrieds to appreciate each other’s differences and to love unconditionally.” Faith, commitment and love have bonded Charles and Nancy Abner together for 55 years.

BY WENDY SCHEURING

Dick Baumbach was stationed at a secret Army missile base when he met Diane, a nursing student. They hit it off right away. Three weeks later, they said “I love you.”

On April Fools’ Day, they got engaged. Before they could get married, Dick was reassigned to Korea. The commanding general was able to get Dick leave so he could get married. Diane returned with him, working as a civilian nurse in an Army hospital. That was 56 years ago.

To keep their marriage strong, they attended a weekend encounter. Ever since, they have dedicated themselves to the marriage ministry.

BY NANETTE HEBDIGE

The magic number for Ken and Rosemarie Cocker has been 51 years of marriage.

“We met at our church in Willoughby Hills, Ohio 55 years ago. My father was a pastor and Ken was the choir director,” Rosemarie Cocker said.

The Cockers have lived in Florida for 47 years, have two children and five grandchildren. They sing together in the choir and play cards every morning.

“Our Christian faith has kept us together, as we promised when we got married, we’d stay together no matter what,” Rosemarie Cocker said.

Ken has retired from his pastoral duties but still does marital counseling.

“Best advice for younger couples is to always communicate,” he said.

BY BETTY PORTER

Mike and Becky Crews have ceremoniously professed their love for each other twice in the 53 years they have been married. They did so on their wedding day and again three years ago on their 50th anniversary. when they renewed their wedding vows at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Melbourne.

They met for the first time in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in their freshman year in college. The couple, who own and run Four C’s Nursery in Palm Bay, moved here from Plano, Texas in 1994. They have two sons and six grandchildren. For the past 13 years, the couple have worked for the Avenue Viera during Christmas as Santa and Mrs. Claus.

The secret of their long-lasting marriage: they both agree it is a give-and-take and each makes it a point to share their love for each other each and every day.

BY NANETTE HEBDIGE

Dutch and Donna Harold have been married 53 years, have three daughters, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

When she met Dutch 54 years ago, Donna was working at a disco in Tampa and gave him her number. She asked him to call her on Sunday if he was serious. They were married a year later at the University of South Florida’s chapel.

“Marriage takes compromise,” Donna Harold said. “I tell my kids to remember why they fell in love and try not to change that person.”

Dutch Harold’s advice to his children about relationships has always been simple. “You don’t have to be right all the time; you can be right or you can be happy.”