2007.02.14: February 14, 2007: Headlines: COS - Philippines: Marriage: Kewanee Star Courier: Married 61 years, Philippines RPCVs Betty and Rollin Heller are experiencing another and different phase in their marriage
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2007.02.14: February 14, 2007: Headlines: COS - Philippines: Marriage: Kewanee Star Courier: Married 61 years, Philippines RPCVs Betty and Rollin Heller are experiencing another and different phase in their marriage
Married 61 years, Philippines RPCVs Betty and Rollin Heller are experiencing another and different phase in their marriage
A good husband and wife through the lean years of farming, through their five years in the Peace Corps in the Philippines, through raising their son and daughter and now dealing with health changes. I quote Mark Twain, “Love seems the swiftest, but it is the slowest of growths. No man or woman really knows what perfect love is until they have been married a quarter of a century.” How much more perfect at over the half century mark?
Married 61 years, Philippines RPCVs Betty and Rollin Heller are experiencing another and different phase in their marriage
Sometimes, Valentine's Day can be every day
By DIANE GIBSON For The Star Courier
Published: Wednesday, February 14, 2007 9:31 AM CST
[Excerpt]
“A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person,” wrote American Journalist Mignon McLaughlin.
I found the truth of that quote while I was visiting two couples at Hillcrest Home located in rural Geneseo. Due to some health issues, the two husbands and their wives are sharing couples’ residency at Hillcrest. Both couples have been married for more than 60 years and if you want the sage wisdom of the experienced, these were the people to talk to.
Married 61 years, Betty and Rollin Heller are experiencing another and different phase in their marriage. Joe and Fern Holsey have been married 63 years and they, too, are experiencing a change. The beauty of talking with anyone more than 70 years of age, they are so interesting. Listening to them talk is like getting involved in a very good book. It takes you to a time and place you can only go through their stories.These couples were no exception.
Asking Betty how a couple stays married for 61 years, she said simply, “We didn’t believe in divorce. I knew if I ever got married it would be forever.” OK, that’s a good start but what was the glue that kept them married?
Betty explained, “We had lean years when we didn’t have a lot of money.” This city girl met her future farmer husband at a sunrise service one Easter Sunday morning at the Grace U.E. Methodist Church in Geneseo.
Their first date involved a church event and they believe going to church every Sunday is an important part of a successful marriage.
Lest you think farming and church makes the marriage, they agreed, “Oh, we had arguments, everyone does. But we grew on each other. It’s important to be kind to each other.” Now folks that is called wisdom. Wisdom mixed with a little romance.
The Hellers worked hard together on the farm, in the house, and raising two children but they made sure they still had date nights. Smiling at her husband, Betty told me, “We have always enjoyed dancing together. We waltz and two-step. We like the dances where you hold each other.” Rollin gave Betty that look (you know that look if you’re married), the one that said Rollin still thinks Betty is his best partner.
I asked Betty if Rollin ever remembered Valentine’s Day. “Oh, sure,” she said, “he always gave me Valentines and birthday gifts. But the important thing is he’s a good husband.”
A good husband and wife through the lean years of farming, through their five years in the Peace Corps in the Philippines, through raising their son and daughter and now dealing with health changes. I quote Mark Twain, “Love seems the swiftest, but it is the slowest of growths. No man or woman really knows what perfect love is until they have been married a quarter of a century.” How much more perfect at over the half century mark?
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Headlines: February, 2007; Peace Corps Philippines; Directory of Philippines RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Philippines RPCVs; Marriage; Illinois
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Story Source: Kewanee Star Courier
This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Philippines; Marriage
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