ENDURING LOVE

When Ken and Darlene Amundson were married, his family had their doubts it would last.

In fact, they were sure this marriage was doomed.

“His whole family bet we wouldn’t stay married six months,” Darlene said, laughing.

But they did.

As of Friday, the Coeur d’Alene couple had been married 53 years, six months and nine days.

On their 50th anniversary — Aug. 5, 2016 — as a joke, they had their picture made with these words: “Longest six months of our lives.”

“We surprised the H-E double L out of a whole bunch of my family and they’re all gone now,” Ken added with a smile. “It’s just her and me and my dog and my cat.”

And love. And respect. And patience.

“You better be best friends,” Darlene said. “That works. Best friends.”

“We’ve had one helluva good life,” Ken said. “We get into little arguments once in a while, but tell me who doesn’t.”

They lived in Alaska for a time, and shared a passion for fishing on their 24-foot cabin cruiser.

“She caught some pretty good salmon,” Ken said.

Darlene nodded in agreement.

“I could out-fish him,” she said.

At that, Ken shook his head, not so.

The two exchange light banter and jokes back and forth when asked how they settled arguments.

“I shut her mouth, sewed it shut,” Ken said, grinning as they held hands.

Darlene rolled her eyes and shook her head.

“Don’t believe everything you’re hearing,” she said.

Then, she adds, “He says he’s going to live to be 106. My comment is, not if I can help it. He’s a grouchy old man already.”

The Amundsons were one of about 25 couples who responded to “Life time of Love” at The Renaissance at Coeur d’Alene Assisted Living Community.

Those celebrating 50-plus years of marriage on Valentine’s Day were invited for a golden anniversary photo session and social. It included food, drink, conversation and plenty of loving looks.

Sonny and Zee Wright of Coeur d’Alene have been married 64 years, with their anniversary date Sept. 11, 1955.

So, how has their marriage endured for more than six decades?

“All you have to do is say, ‘Yes, dear,’” Sonny said.

On the serious side, Zee said there were struggles.

Early in their marriage, despite both of them working, they had little money and fell three months behind on their house payment as they paid for child care.

Later, they suffered the loss of their son Bruce, 19, when he was struck by a car while on a biking outing.

But their love kept them united and strong.

“Young people, I think, give up too soon,” Zee said. “When you get married, it’s not going to be all sunshine and roses.”

“There’s a lot of ups and downs,” she continued.

Today, they live in a condominium after downsizing. They have plenty to do. They enjoy golf and traveling, their daughter is an occupational therapist, a granddaughter is getting married this year, and Sonny still operates a business in San Diego.

“Life is good,” Zee said. “We’re happy. I’m happy. He has to speak for himself.”

Sonny glances up, remains quiet for a moment, then he chuckles, and says “I’m happy.”

Greg and Jane Nelson have been married 52 years, with their anniversary on May 27.

Friday, they wore matching medallions she designed and also wore matching dark blue shirts, with his saying “Together” and “19” on the back and hers saying, “Since” and “67.”

They were freshmen when they met at a college mixer at Marquette University in Milwaukee in 1964 and yes, Greg said, it was love at first sight.

Jane said they went for a drive afterward and she, too, sensed he was the one.

“I remember talking to him about things I never told anybody,” she said. “I just felt comfortable.”

They were engaged three years before tying the knot.

“I got married one day and a week later, I graduated from Marquette,” Greg said.

He didn’t even have to take one of his finals, Jane said. One of his instructors told him, ‘Oh, you’re getting married? Forget it.’”

Over the next five decades they raised three children, lots of animals, lived in the country, built a home, and lived on a boat for nine years in the Bay Area (it was like camping, they said) before settling in Coeur d’Alene.

Today, Greg admires his wife’s beauty. She speaks of his dedication.

“He was Mr. Fix It. He could do anything.”

What about arguments? Any stretches of no speaking to each other?

“Oh, yeah,” Greg said, looking at his wife.

“Him more than me,” Jane said. “He gets angry and shuts down. And that’s just not who I am.”

Asked what it takes to have a strong marriage, Jane said, “A sense of humor.”

“A big sense of humor,” Greg added.

There’s more.

“Patience,” Jane said. “And a lot of love. Be open to what you like and don’t like.”

Greg nods.

“Be honest,” he said. “Be honest.”