The Secret of Love

Ten couples from Big Walnut Missionary Baptist Church in Reelsville recently celebrated being married 50 years or longer. Between them, they have nearly 600 years of marriage. Pictured are, front from left, Barbara Proctor, Bill and Bette Killion, Bill and Shirley Lundy, Leroy and Florence Sillery, Chuck and Berenadine Coleman; back, Jim Proctor, Bob and Joan Rissler, Roy and Delores Haddon. Not pictured are Dave and Amy Geary, Jim and Jean Cromwell and Willie and Esther Taylor.

10 couples celebrate 50 years or more

REELSVILE -- For thousands of years, man has looked for the answers to the mystery of love. It seems that 10 couples from the Big Walnut Missionary Baptist Church in Reelsville may have discovered a few of the answers to that eternal question.

Bill and Bette Killion, Chuck and Berenadine Coleman, Leroy and Florence Sillery, Jim and Jean Cromwell, Dave and Amy Geary, Willie and Esther Taylor, Bob and Joan Rissler, Bill and Shirley Lundy, Jim and Barbara Proctor and Roy and Delores Haddon have all celebrated marriages of 50 years or more.

Their fellow church members recognized the group last Sunday with a rose and bag of "gold nuggets" (Reese cups) during a special presentation.

Dave Bruner emceed the event. His in-laws (Bill and Shirley Lundy) were one of the couples being recognized.

"There is quite an investment of longevity in this group," said Bruner. "Together these couples make up just under a total of 600 years. That's an average of 59.7 years. This is quite an achievement."

Bruner went on to ask the immortal questions of the couples: "What is the mystery of love and how did they stay together so long?"

Berenadine Coleman told him that she and her husband Chuck never go to bed mad at each other.

"I like the word commitment. Loving someone is not expecting something in return. At least, that's what love is to me. It's been a heck of a ride," added Bob Rissler.

He then laughingly told a story about his family telling him that the engagement ring he bought Joan must have cost him a fat steer.

After hearing the story of how Bill and Shirley Lundy met after a late night movie, son-in-law Dave Bruner asked why he had to have their daughter and now his wife home for a 10 p.m. curfew after every date.

Bill Lundy went on to talk about being proud of his wife and all her volunteer activities as well as her great ability to shop.

Shirley's response was a simple, "If you get a guy like Bill, he will be a keeper. I love him so much."

Several of the couples mentioned doing their own thing.

"Only by the grace of God we're still here and able to come to church," said Jim Proctor. "We've had our ups and downs and in a way have gone our own ways. But, my mamma always told me to come home for supper, and I have always come home for supper with my wife."

To all of these couples God is central in their lives.

Pastor Mike Goss wrapped up the service on Sunday by talking about God's abiding love.

"It's an old-fashioned term that means enduring or lasting," he told the congregation.

He compared these ten couples to vines so entangled together that it is difficult to tell where one begins and one ends.

"They have been together so long that I am sure they can recognize the sound of their footsteps and laughter from far away," said Goss.

"The vines closest to the heart are the juiciest because they receive the best nutrients enabling them to grow," said Goss. "By being close to God they were able to grow, feed each other, give each other health and provide the best fruit.

And, this ladies and gentlemen is the way of love. Ten couples from all walks of life that who have unlocked one of the greatest mysteries of life -- how to keep their love enduring.

To read the individual stories of these 10 couples, click here.