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What is love? B.C. seniors offer tips for making that connection last

91ƵMake sure you always say goodnight with a kiss91Ƶ

Feb. 14 is Valentine91Ƶs Day, a traditional day for love and romance.

The concept of love and romance, of course, has different meanings for everyone. So in order to learn more, we went to the experts.

We asked a variety of residents at Berwick Parksville, some couples together for nearly 70 years, a few key questions and they offered some tips on how to maintain lasting love.

What does love mean to you?

91ƵLove means someone who cares about you,91Ƶ said Lil Rossiter, married to Jack Rossiter for 54 years.

Love means 91Ƶbeing married to someone for 67 years,91Ƶ according to Jeanne Bunker.

91ƵShe couldn91Ƶt find a second person, so I91Ƶm still here,91Ƶ Ralph Bunker joked.

91ƵLove means caring for each other, helping each other, looking after each other,91Ƶ said Tom Mountain, married to Diane Mountain for nearly 59 years.

91ƵSaying 91ƵI91Ƶm sorry91Ƶ,91Ƶ according to Joan Stewart. 91ƵWe91Ƶve been together for 62 years and courted for five years before that.91Ƶ

Gordon Hudson answered, 91ƵIt91Ƶs the way in which we91Ƶve spent our life for the last 50 some odd years, so, you know, together for everything.91Ƶ

Linda Hudson agreed, 91ƵPretty much joined at the hip.91Ƶ

How do you maintain love?

91ƵBy taking care of each other, understanding each other. What they like to do,91Ƶ said Lil Rossiter.

Jack Rossiter says the secret to a lasting marriage is to 91Ƶkeep it simple.91Ƶ

91ƵI think having a sense of humour is important,91Ƶ said Tom Mountain. 91ƵI think it91Ƶs laughing, at times, at things and that91Ƶs the important part.91Ƶ

91ƵIt91Ƶs also having concern for each other and their well-being,91Ƶ Diane Mountain added. 91ƵAnd making sure that things go well for your partner.91Ƶ

91ƵLook after each other,91Ƶ said Jeanne and Ralph, nearly in unison.

91ƵYou have to give and take,91Ƶ Jeanne added.

Do you have a secret to a lasting marriage?

91ƵI don91Ƶt know if we do or not, but I think we found it whatever it is because we have a long and happy marriage now,91Ƶ Diane said. 91ƵAnd I think concern for each other, and paying attention to each other and listening to your partner and seeing what they need and what you can do to help them.91Ƶ

91ƵI agree, yes, communication and a sense of things in common,91Ƶ Tom said. 91ƵAnd common attitudes and common purpose and that kind of thing as well.91Ƶ

91ƵBy keeping your individual personality,91Ƶ according to Linda.

Joan said 91ƵHe (Wayne) has an old grandma who lived into her 90s and she says, 91Ƶyou never go to bed mad at each other91Ƶ.91Ƶ

91ƵIf you91Ƶre arguing, you make sure that you91Ƶve corrected before you go to bed and you always say goodnight either with a kiss or blowing a kiss,91Ƶ added Wayne. 91ƵI91Ƶve inherited that and carried it on from my parents.91Ƶ

91ƵWe don91Ƶt have any divorces in our family. We91Ƶre very lucky,91Ƶ said Joan.

91Ƶ NEWS Staff

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