El Paso couple celebrates 70 years together
By Victor R. Martinez, El Paso Times, Texas | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
"Every day, he tells me he loves me," she said. "He never goes out the door without kissing me goodbye, even if he is just going to work on the yard."
Ede, 90, and her groom George, 92, are officially celebrating their platinum anniversary today.
"It's been alight," Ede said letting out a big laugh when asked what it's like being married to the same man for 70 years. "It hasn't been too bad. I think I'm going to keep him."
The couple met at
"We had our first date when she was 14 and I was 16," George said. "We went to a high school basketball game. We dated somewhat during that time. I had a driver's license so we went to the movies and things like that."
"I told my mother that day that I was going to marry Ede," he said. "She has always been one of the most easy to get along with and most popular persons I have known. In high school she was named Most Popular Girl so I had a lot of competition for her."
The Ernsts moved to
In 2000, the
Ede served as secretary at
"I'm very blessed," said
Ede, with her quick wit, said she is first and foremost "amazed that we've both lived this long," much less been married 70 years.
"At our age, usually one spouse or the other is gone by now but both of us are still here," she said with a her ever-present kind smile. "We got married young, too. Times were different back then. People would get married at a young age. It seems now people are too concerned with their own careers and don't get married as young."
George was 22 and Ede was 20 when they were married in 1943.
"There really isn't a big secret to marriage," she said. "I guess you just get along with one another and enjoy each other's company. We get up every morning and read the comics and we start our day with a laugh."
A 70-year marriage is less common now. According to a
The same study shows in 1950, 78 percent of all households in
"Younger people don't put up with anything," Ede said. "They get mad at one single thing and it's over. They don't try to reconcile like we did back in our time. I don't get that impression that they work hard enough on the marriage."
The secret to a successful marriage is communication and the reassurance that you still love your partner.
"After a period of years of being married, the best thing to do is to kiss your wife and tell her that you love her. Otherwise, you're in the dog house," George said. "I never wanted to be in that dog house. I could not have been who I am today without her."
A kiss and an "I love you," can go a long way.
"It means a great deal to me to hear him say those words," Ede said. "It makes me feel special, more special than what I am. I can't do without him."
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