As we all know, Valentine’s Day is a day of spreading love and showing affection and romance to your spouse. This month, as we highlight some of the married couples that are currently staying at San Simeon by the Sound, we had a few questions about what still makes their hearts beat for each other after so many years together.
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Borrelli
How long have you been married to each other?
63 years.
What is your fondest memory of your 63-year marriage?
Our wedding day.
What is the secret to staying married for so many years?
Respect for one another.
Can you remember a specific moment in time when you knew you would end up marrying your spouse?
I went to Brooklyn to visit Franny when I came home from overseas during the Korean War in 1953.
What is your best Valentine’s Day memory together?
All were good memories.
What do you think is the most challenging part of being married?
Getting over squabbles and not letting them linger.
What has been the most joyous day or occasion you’ve experienced as a married couple?
Our 50th anniversary when the whole family went on a cruise.
What is one thing that your spouse does that makes you feel glad you married them?
Franny is the best house cleaner and has marvelous taste in decorating.
What made you realize that you could spend the rest of your lives together?
When we never regretted a day spent together.
What is the best piece of marriage advice you can give?
Always respect one another.
Mr. & Mrs. George Holevas
How long have you been married to each other?
62 years.
What is your fondest memory of your 62-year marriage?
Every day is a fond memory together.
What is the secret to staying married for so many years?
Never keeping secrets.
Can you remember a specific moment in time when you knew you would end up marrying your spouse?
I knew right away that she was the one.
What is your best Valentine’s Day memory together?
All of them are special when you are in love.
What has been the most joyous day or occasion you’ve experienced as a married couple?
Having a family together.
What is one thing that your spouse does that makes you feel glad you married them?
She is a good wife and mother.
What made you realize that you could spend the rest of your lives together?
When I fell in love with my best friend.
What is the best piece of marriage advice you can give?
Always be there for each other and take your vows for life.
Mr. & Mrs. Herman Lindeman
How long have you been married to each other?
64 years.
What is your fondest memory of your 64-year marriage?
Our 3 children.
What is the secret to staying married for so many years?
Talking and listening to each other.
Can you remember a specific moment in time when you knew you would end up marrying your spouse?
We knew each other as children and grew up together.
What do you think is the most challenging part of being married?
Staying married requires putting in work.
What has been the most joyous day or occasion you’ve experienced as a married couple?
Watching our grandchildren become adults.
What is one thing that your spouse does that makes you feel glad you married them?
He caters to me.
What is the best piece of marriage advice you can give?
Keep talking and listening to each other, even with ups and downs.
Mr. & Mrs. John Reichert
How long have you been married to each other?
66 years.
What is the secret to staying married for so many years?
Never give up and always work through difficult times.
Can you remember a specific moment in time when you knew you would end up marrying your spouse?
When he told me that he loved me.
What is your best Valentine’s Day memory together?
Every day together is a gift.
What do you think is the most challenging part of being married?
Finding a way to always keep it together.
What has been the most joyous day or occasion you’ve experienced as a married couple?
Our wedding and the birth of our children.
What made you realize that you could spend the rest of your lives together?
Being in love enough to have 8 children.
What is the best piece of marriage advice you can give?
There are two sides to a marriage certificate, so make sure to look at the front as well as the back.
Mr. & Mrs. William Winship
How long have you been married to each other?
37 years.
What is your fondest memory of your 37-year marriage?
So many travels (Europe and China), and formal dance lessons. She told me she wouldn’t marry a man unless he could dance.
What is the secret to staying married for so many years?
Tolerance.
What do you think is the most challenging part of being married?
Watching your spouse be sick, but this gives you the opportunity to demonstrate you are one.
What is the best piece of marriage advice you can give?
Retain your individuality.
Mr. & Mrs. Louis Wirtz
How long have you been married to each other?
42 years.
What is your fondest memory of your 42-year marriage?
Trip to the Cayman Islands.
What is the secret to staying married for so many years?
Love and respect.
Can you remember a specific moment in time when you knew you would end up marrying your spouse?
When he helped me during my cancer diagnosis.
What is your best Valentine’s Day memory together?
Going to NYC.
What do you think is the most challenging part of being married?
Always having to agree with each other.
What is one thing that your spouse does that makes you feel glad you married them?
He is a great provider and protector.
What made you realize that you could spend the rest of your lives together?
When we went to NYC to Carnegie Hall to see the Pearlman concert on New Year’s Eve.
What is the best piece of marriage advice you can give?
Marriage is a work in progress.
Mr. & Mrs. James Yagle
How long have you been married to each other?
60 years.
What is your fondest memory of your 60-year marriage?
The births of children and grandchildren.
What is the secret to staying married for so many years?
I love Barbara so much. Nothing ever phased her. She was a cop’s best wife.
Can you remember a specific moment in time when you knew you would end up marrying your spouse?
It was love at first sight when I met her in 1959 at a graduation party that I almost didn’t go to.
What is your best Valentine’s Day memory together?
Every day is Valentine’s Day.
What do you think is the most challenging part of being married?
You definitely need a sense of humor to stay married.
What has been the most joyous day or occasion you’ve experienced as a married couple?
The birth of our children and grandchildren.
What is one thing that your spouse does that makes you feel glad you married them?
She always smiles and is a happy lady even in rough times.
What made you realize that you could spend the rest of your lives together?
Our compatibility.
What is the best piece of marriage advice you can give?
If you feel it is the right person, don’t be afraid, just do it.
