64 Years.......

When you two first met, was it love at first sight?

Nana: No, it was a growing thing.

Pop: I saw her walking down the hall in high school. I thought she was cute.

At what point did you start dating?

Nana: Gosh, probably our first year of high school. He was going steady with another girl. They broke up and she was one of my best friends. About three months later, he asked me out. Asked me to go steady.

Pop: I would say hi to her and goodbye whenever I passed her in the hall. A few months later, we started palling around.

How did you get engaged?

Nana: He gave me a ring. It was a ring that meant that we were engaged to be engaged. One of you girls has it. The red one with the flowers on the side. I don't really think he ever really proposed. I think he just assumed that we would get married.

Pop: Before I went away to the service I said, "If everything goes alright after the war, do you want to get married?". She said yes.

Were your parents supportive?

Nana: Yes, they knew I liked him and he was always so thoughtful of my parents. My Mom especially.

Pop: Yes, they were supportive.

What was your wedding day like?

Nana: We got married in the rectory at the church. We had a small wedding and his Mother had a reception at her house afterwards.

Pop: Well I got all dressed up and went to the rectory. She was there with her brother and his wife and my brother. It didn't take too long. I remember the priest saying to me, "Marriage is not too easy. There is a new song. Listen to the words and it will help you get through marriage". It was in the early 40's. You know this song? (He starts singing) You gotta give a li-ttle, take a li-ttle, let your heart dream a li-ttle.....Do you know that song?

Yes, I love that song. That is a great great song Pop.

How many years have you been married?

Nana: Oh let me think.....60??? (help from my Aunt) 64. 64 years.

Pop: 46 years. Oh wait, no it's been 64 years. See what old age does to you?

What have some of your best memories been?

Nana: Well there were so many good times. And hard times too but always good times in between the hard times. Pop worked so much. He worked all day and then had to work at the show in the evenings. It was hard. Oh I hope that I'm not exaggerating to much but when the kids were in college, married and gone, then it was just us. We had to figure out what to do together. It was the first time that we actually had time together. We grew closer. And we traveled. Sometimes we traveled just the two of us. Other times we traveled with friends. We went to Italy a couple of times. Egypt. So many places. You'll have to ask Pop. I wish that I could remember.

Pop: I loved the family cruises. Five of them I think. All of us. Going on a cruise with the whole family. I enjoyed seeing all of the smiling families. Everyone enjoying themselves. We also enjoyed traveling with friends. We went to just about every country except for India. I hear India is beautiful. And we boated down the Nile. We saw King Tut's tomb. And walking on the Great Wall of China. We went to Italy to see where my parents were born. We handed out bibles in Russia and if it had been one year before, we would have gone to jail for that.

Nana: We've had a lot of fun together.

Pop: And we've enjoyed watching our Grandchildren grow up. Enjoyed our three children and knowing that they have happy family lives. We have enjoyed our happy Mothers and Fathers. We have a happy family.

And what does this week mean to you. Being here together with everyone?

Nana: (Her eyes light up) Oh we enjoy it. WE LOVE IT. I love being with all of the family. Seeing the children grow up. Seeing all of you. It's more than I ever expected. More than my Mother ever got. (a few minutes later my son walked up and hugged her. It melted her heart)

Pop: (Smiles) We're real privileged to be here with our family. And feel good that they want to be here with us. That they enjoy being with us. Our great Grandkids are outstanding and beautiful.

How do you describe the love that you feel for one another and for your family?

Nana: My husband and my family are the most important part of my life.

Pop: Nothing could be any greater than the love that I have for my wife and for my family.

I love you both so much.

Nana: I love you too sweetie.

Pop: I love you too pal.