Couples celebrate decades of love

LECHEE, Ariz.

Love was in the air, or at least it was at the senior center this Valentine’s Day.

When Marge Lane, van driver for the senior center, invited couples to share the story about how they met their spouse and how long they have been married, only three couples shared a short story.

One couple – Edgar and Ella Reed, 84 and 83 – said they have been married for 55 years, becoming a great strength together. Another couple said they have been married for 50 years, rendering love, respect and devotion to one another. And the last couple said they have been married for 11 years, loving and caring for one another and their children.

And just for sharing their stories, Lane gave them a basket of goodies.

“I wanted to give them more things but I didn’t finish everything,” Lane said after the Valentine’s Day party Feb. 12 at the senior center where seniors from at least three neighboring chapters attended.

Lane said many of the elders’ from here who live further away were present at the party.

“The people living (further away) couldn’t get out and get to the store,” she explained.

And that being the case, Lane says, the elders were content with the basket of goodies such as baking powder, rolls of paper towel, facial tissue, a sack of Blue Bird flour, snow boots, among others.

“I want them to enjoy things,” Lane said. “I want them to have fun.”

The men and women who attended the party delighted in line dancing, song and dancing, and picks for the best dressed.

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