SANTEE, Calif. — There’s nothing old about 72 years of marriage. On Valentine's Day at Lantern Crest Senior Living in Santee, couples are renewing their vows but also memorializing the love stories that have been lost.
A handful of senior couples held each other’s hands and looked into their loved ones eyes and said, “I Do" again.
“We’ve been remarried at least 50 times, 30 or 40 times,” said Mel and Karen Rohr.
They first said their wedding vows in July 1970 after they met in the air. Mel was a pilot and Karen was a flight attendant for PSA.
Each time they have renewed their it feels like puppy love.
“His blue eyes and look at those lips wow!,” said Karen.
For Bob and Nadine Weishan, their marriage may have aged but not their love for each other.
“We’ve known each other since 4th grade,” said Nadine.
When Bob, a retired U.S. Marine, returned from serving in the deadly battle of the Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War, he married Nadine in 1952.
“I guess we like each other,” said Nadine.
The sweethearts have taught a lot about each other and feel that love is something that you can’t live without and for the widows who have lost their sweetheart, Valentine’s Day can be a day of mourning for some.
“I was devastated,” said Karen McNally.
Her husband, Robert of 36 years, died five years ago.
“They are great memories so why do they make you sad. I do miss him still very much, still,” said McNally.
She still remembers her first Valentine’s Day with Bob, who was a body builder.
“The very first year we met he gave me a membership to Gold’s Gym. I thought wow what a Valentine’s present,” said McNally.
From then on they worked out, danced and crisscrossed the country on their motorcycle.
“I saw a guy riding a motorcycle down the highway, I still have a hard time on Valentine’s Day I still do,” said McNally.
While Lantern Crest is renewing vows they’re also reviving the love stories that may have been lost where a widow lays a white rose in their spouses memory.
“They are forever in our hearts. Those love stories should still be celebrated just because they are not standing next to us, doesn’t mean that we don’t love them very much and my eyes are watering a little bit,” said Bobi Thomas, Executive Sales and Marketing Director. Lantern Crest Senior Living.
Because no matter how old these couples are, their love for each other never dies.
“You need that love and you get it every day, every moment in your life if you are with the right person,” said Karen Rohr.
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