Posted on 05/25/2008 10:55:16 PM PDT by Stoat
By Jaya Narain
Last updated at 2:45 AM on 26th May 2008
As with any married couple, there are times when Frank and Anita Milford don’t quite see eye to eye.
But they have never let the odd disagreement get in the way of their love for each other and their dedication to their marriage.
To prove it, Frank, 100, and Anita, 99, today celebrate their 80th wedding anniversary, equalling the record for England’s longest-ever marriage.
Frank and Anita Milford are celebrating their 80th wedding anniversary
They say the secret to a lasting marriage is to iron out your arguments before bedtime and share a kiss and a cuddle every night before bed.
Mrs Milford said: ‘It’s our golden rule. Couples these days don’t last long because they often don’t take enough time for each other.
'Our advice to young couples would be to make time for a little romance every day.’
Mr Milford added: ‘To win over your sweetheart you need a dose of old-fashioned chivalry and don’t let your standards slip. We do everything together even after 80 years.’
The couple met in 1926 and got married in 1928
The pair met in 1926 at a YMCA dance in their home town of Plymouth. They married two years later, on May 26, 1928, and after the register office ceremony popped to the cinema to catch a Charlie Chaplin film.
Shortly after they moved to a bungalow in the city’s St Budeaux district, where they lived until 2005. Mr Milford worked at Devonport Dockyard until retiring at 60.
The couple have two children, Marie, 78, and Frank, 73, five grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
Mr Milford said: ‘We’re proud of what we have achieved. When we started we had low wages and worked very hard.
‘The war years were tough - a bomb even dropped on our house. But we have come
through it.’ Since moving to a nursing home, the couple have taken up a range of hobbies.
They have just received a letter from the Queen congratulating them on their ‘oak’ anniversary. Their 80 years together equals the English record set by Percy and Florence Arrowsmith of Hereford in 2006. Mr Arrowsmith died a fortnight after celebrating the anniversary.
Guinness World Records says the longest British marriage was that of Thomas and Elizabeth Morgan of Caerleon, South Wales, who were married for 81 years 260 days until her death in 1891.
The couple say the key to a happy marriage is to share a kiss and a cuddle before bed
Entertainer Bruce Forsyth is born.
Writer Thomas Hardy dies.
Heavy hailstones kill 11 people as storms sweep the UK.
Mickey Mouse appears in Steamboat Willie - the first cartoon with sound.
Aviator Amelia Earhart becomes the first woman to successfully pilot an aircraft across the Atlantic Ocean American actress Shirley Temple is born.
Love sweet stories like this!
Hubby and I will be married 33 years in December.
But sometimes it feels like 5 minutes...
...under water!
:)
Sweet story. Thanks for posting it.
Mr G and I only have 43 more years to go to match that record!
Amen.
Too bad about those hailstones.
WOW! A couple we know are celebrating their 70th this June and I thought no one could beat that. WOW! again.
God Bless them Both!! What a wonderful thing!!
And I'll betcha he'd STILL be a Hubba Hubba at 112. ;)
Congratulations to the both of you!!!
What a great story! Looks like they are still giggling like school kids when they hold hands. And he was quite the handsome devil back in the 1920’s.
Thank you!
OF COURSE!
Bump!
Let's hope they will be able to enjoy many more together :-)
Indeed...I think that if everyone were to listen to their wisdom, the world would be a far happier place. :-)
LMAO
Yes I'm afraid Mr. Milford looks slightly rumpled, doesn't he?
It just goes to show that oftentimes the most valuable gems are hidden in the most plain of purses. I can think of numerous spectacularly beautiful people I've known who have had absolutely miserable and oftentimes short marriages.
Hopefully all of their children and grandchildren as well as everyone who reads their story will follow their fine example in life.
I'm delighted that you've enjoyed it :-)
Hubby and I will be married 33 years in December.
Congratulations to you both!
But sometimes it feels like 5 minutes...
...under water!
:)
LMAO
Being a single stoat (sad sigh), I regret that can't come back with a meaningful rejoinder based upon my own experiences.
It seems, however, that you have found a way to breathe when you need to. I think that when General Patton found a solid, working plan, he wasn't one to change it for no reason. :-)
You're quite welcome! I'm happy that you've enjoyed it and have found it to be worthwhile :-)
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