Say “Yes dear” and your marriage will last a very long time, advised Leo Morrissey of Milton, Mass., on Thursday. He and his wife Margaret are married 62 years, giving them top honors for longevity at the 13th annual Celebration of Love Valentine’s Day Vow Renewal ceremony at Trunk Bay Beach.
Like several other couples, the Morrisseys came dressed similarly – in their case, royal blue.
More than 15 couples stepped forward when nondenominational minister Anne Marie Porter asked who had been married between 40 and 50 years. These couples had plenty of advice for those partnerships with fewer years to report, but some of it was similar to Leo Morrissey’s.
“My wife is never wrong,” said St. John resident Mike Buchholz.
His wife had a different answer.
“Good bloody Marys,” she said, earlier noting that they are married 44 years.
Some couples arrived with children in tow. Others had family on hand to snap photos. St. John resident Neil Upham said his parents, Wally and June Upham of Kansas City, were visiting him. Asked if they set a good example for marriage, he had a quick response.
“They’re married 50 years,” he said.
Porter had advice for those wed for less than 10 years. She told them they were smart to renew their vows at the beginning of their marriage. And she told those married many years to talk to those married for fewer years.
While there was a good smattering of local residents on hand among the approximately 150 couples, many were on vacation. They had different reasons for heading out to the beach for the event.
“It’s a reaffirmation of my temporary commitment,” said Bill Sharp of Napa, Calif., laughing.
He and his wife Barbara have been married 31 years. They joined friends Phillip and Janaan Schlagel of Des Moines, Iowa, married for 19 years, for a stay at the Schlagel family house on St. John and to renew their vows.
Roger Bosveld and Aggie Puariea of St. Paul, Minn., are a dozen years into their second marriage. Laughing, Bosveld, who was camping at Cinnamon Bay Campground, said the vow renewal was a cheap gift. His wife had a different take on it.
“He thought it was kind of sentimental. Oh, I still love you,” she said.
Janet and Stephen Braverman grew up in the same apartment building in Yonkers, N.Y. They’ve known each other for 58 years but got married 43 years ago. They now live in Boynton Beach, Fla.
“Every day you get through the day, you renew your vows,” Janet Braverman said.
Several people said renewing their vows gave them a chance to reflect on their marriages. “To look around and see where it all started,” said David Record of River Forest, Ill., who’s been married 34 years to his wife Paula.
Keith and Leon Maura are practically newlyweds with 13 married years on their resume and Leon said that they still felt that way.
“Happy Love Day,” he said.
Love was definitely in Trunk Bay’s salty air.
“We love each other. It’s important,” said St. John resident Joyce Hrebeck, summing up what kept her and Edward, her husband of 25 years, together.
