By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Joan Callecod knew she had fallen for Bob Callecod when her face hurt from laughing every time they were together. Wouldn’t it be grand, she thought, to spend life with a man who could bring such bliss.
Sixty years of marriage later, the Bowling Green couple still share a life of delight-filled days. On Saturday, they celebrated their diamond anniversary among family and friends – including many who have also shared more than half a century as spouses.
The room in the Simpson Garden Building was filled with wisdom of Bowling Green couples who have not only managed to reach 50 years of marriage – but still seem to enjoy their lives together. Among them were Clif and Judy Boutelle, Dick and Nadine Edwards, Milt and Lee Hakel, Bob and Nancy Hess, Tom and Barbara O’Brien, and George and Susan Winters.
First, the Callecods, who met while both were attending Knox College in Illinois. After 60-plus years, it’s forgivable that Bob believes they met in German class, while Joan remembers it as a fraternity party. Bob remembers their first sporting event together as bowling, while Joan believes it was a basketball game.
Neither could recall with certainty the first song they danced to.
But while some minor details have shifted over time, the meaningful memories are rock solid. Both remember dealing with problems at home, at work, or at church by talking through them.
“When we weren’t happy about something, we would talk about it,” Bob said.
Both remember sacrifices the other has made to strengthen their family.
“Joan was so willing to make major changes,” Bob said.
Joan still laughs at Bob’s jokes, and Bob has memorized the important response of “yes, dear.”
The Callecods have traveled the world, but continue to come home to Bowling Green.
“We moved here temporarily 35 years ago,” Bob said.
And they continue to love coming home to each other.
When quizzed by their children about their most prized possessions, Joan cited her family, and Bob noted Joan’s love – for 60 years.
“She has always been right by my side,” he said.
Clif and Judy Boutelle, who will celebrate 61 years of marriage in June, met at Wyoming High School, in a suburb of Cincinnati. From there, they enrolled together at Ohio Wesleyan University.
“I was told to get my BA before my MRS,” Judy said with a smile.
The couple married as soon as they graduated from college.
“We were really two kids who didn’t know anything,” Clif said.
But they knew how to make a marriage work.
“We have our moments from time to time,” Clif said. “But we have a lot of respect for each other.”
Dick and Nadine Edwards’ love story predates their 63 years of marriage by several years.
“I picked him out in elementary school,” said Nadine. The pair lived three blocks from each other in Bellevue.
“He’s the only boyfriend I’ve ever had,” said Nadine. And she would know if Dick had any other girlfriends. “He blushes really easily.”
“I married a younger woman,” Dick said of his bride who is one year younger than him.
The pair credit the longevity of their marriage to good communication and teamwork.
“We respect one another,” Dick said. “We’ve pretty much done this as a team.”
The Edwards have moved 12 times in their marriage – something that can challenge marital bliss. But it strengthened their partnership.
“He’s been very supportive and very understanding,” Nadine said.
And above all, Dick said, the quality that has kept their marriage strong is the ability to face life’s struggles with a smile.
“You have to keep a sense of humor,” he said.
Milt and Lee Hakel, who will celebrate their 60th anniversary in September, met while living in the first co-ed dorm at the University of Minnesota.
“We were very segregated except at breakfast, lunch and dinner,” Milt said.
The two remember their first meeting during a campus orientation, when the cheerleaders were supposed to teach fellow students the school song.
Fortuitously for the Hakels, the cheerleaders didn’t know the song, so Milt took over the instruction. It was the first time he had done anything like that, he said.
The handsome young man caught the eye of Lee, who complimented him after the orientation. Milt saw his chance, and used the pick-up line, “You want a cookie?” – and that marked the beginning of their relationship.
Milt, who was majoring in philosophy and psychology, said his familiarity of the campus made him a good catch for Lee, who was majoring in pre-social work. He knew his way to the underground tunnels that students used to cross campus during the frigid winters in Minnesota.
“We were married less than a year later,” Lee said.
The couple credit “pure love” and listening for the success of their marriage.
And there’s something more.
“We are continuously falling in love all over again,” Milt said.
Bob and Nancy Hess, who met as “Falcon flames” at Bowling Green State University, will celebrate their 51st anniversary later this year.
“He was so cute,” Nancy recalled. “I thought he was the best looking boy.”
But Nancy said she was just one of many girls that Bob had his eye on.
“I was just in the rotation,” she said with a smile.
The couple delayed getting married, since they feared Bob would be drafted for the Vietnam War. But when that was no longer a concern, they tied the knot.
Like all couples, the Hesses have faced many difficult decisions during their marriage. But they have come up with a system that works for them.
“Most decisions come down to who feels the strongest,” Bob said.
And then there’s the real reason for their long-lasting partnership – they are best friends.
“We just like each other,” Bob said.
Tom and Barbara O’Brien, who will be celebrating 60 years of marriage later this year, met at Syracuse University.
“It’s a long story,” Tom said.
But Barbara shared the abbreviated version.
“I had a car and a TV – that’s why he married me,” she said, grinning.
Though not the real reason, Tom conceded that the car and TV didn’t hurt.
The couple attribute their marital success to patience, fortitude and perseverance.
That and having four children in five years.
“That makes you close,” Barbara said.
“We had no choice,” Tom said, smiling.
George and Susan Winters, who have been married 57 years, met at George’s fraternity party at Cornell University. Since there weren’t many women at Cornell, some girls from the nearby Elmira College were bused over for the fraternity mixer.
“I only went out with him” because George asked her to set up her roommate on a date with another frat member, Susan said. “The rest was history.”
“He’s very smart, has a great sense of humor, and is very caring,” Susan said.
“She’s an organizer,” George said, offering his wife high praise.
“I organize you,” Susan said, smiling at George.
“That’s true,” George said back.
George credits Susan for being very supportive during the family’s 24 moves over 57 years. And Susan said she actually enjoys moving.
“But this is it,” she said.
However, George countered with, “We’re getting itchy.”
The couple credits their long marriage to the sharing of the same interests – and thoughts.
“Sometimes we even finish each others’ sentences,” Susan said.
———
Some other couples at the Callecod’s anniversary bash are closing in on their own golden marriage milestones.
Bob McOmber said he and wife, Becky, will make it to 50 years as long as Becky agrees to “renew the annual contract” two more times.
John and Alice Calderonello, are also narrowing in on 50 after first meeting on Valentine’s Day in 1973 at a saloon while the two attended University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Soon after meeting, John, who was getting his PhD in Slovak languages and literature, and Alice, who was getting her PhD in English, moved in together.
“We were hippies,” Alice said. They married a year later – and by some accounts are still hippies – just a little older.
