(HLN) — John and Ann Betar were married on November 25, 1932, in the midst of the Great Depression, before World War II and the first animated full-length film, far before the invention of the PC or the popularity of television. Herbert Hoover was president, and America had yet to see a Super Bowl or experience in-home air conditioning.
Though it seems like everything in the world has changed, John and Ann are still here, holding hands and laughing. The husband and wife, 102 and 98 years old respectively, have been married 81 years and hold the honor of being the longest-married couple in America, according to the Worldwide Marriage Counter.
“We just fell in love, that’s all,” John said.
The couple met young, living across the street from each other. But the marriage almost didn’t happen. Ann’s family had arranged for her to marry another man, but the two love birds took matters into their own hands and eloped.
“We went to Harris, New York,” John said.
“We didn’t have any money to go any further,” Ann added.
Their families were livid, but Ann fondly remembers John driving her to high school in his Ford Roadster.
“That’s why she married me, she loved that car,” John said.
The Fairfield, Connecticut, couple imparted some wisdom, and some incredible facts, about their marathon marriage, as told to the UK’s Daily Mail:
Happy wife, happy life: “The key is to always agree with your wife,” John said with a chuckle.
Longevity begets unexpected losses: The couple has lost two of their five children to cancer, and their eldest daughter is 80 years old.
Home is where the heart is: The couple has lived in the same house since 1964 — for those keeping score, that’s nearly 50 years!
Choose your battles: “It’s only about cooking, that’s the only arguments we have,” John said. Ann politely disagreed: “See, that’s what he thinks!”
For John, he said his bride is easy to love. She always stayed home and was a great mother. For Ann, she said her man of 80 years always give her a tender touch, with his hand usually on her knee or in her hair.
The Betars’ designation as the longest-married couple in America was made by the Worldwide Marriage Encounter based on nominations, so there’s a possibility there are couples who have been married longer. But you have to admit: Any way you slice it, 81 years is ridiculously impressive.
By AJ Willingham
