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| On Valentine's Day and every day |
Jason and Leah Lagesse's first anniversary celebration was delayed by last weekend's snowstorm, so they are celebrating it today. |
Sunday, February 14, 2010
By ELIZA WINSTON - Bulletin Staff Writer
Valentine’s Day is all about togetherness. But, some married couples say, pursuing separate interests can help hold a marriage together.
Reuben and Deirdre Stone of Martinsville celebrated their 41st anniversary in December. Having individual interests has been important to their longevity, Deirdre said.
“I was really interested in horses, and he let me have a horse,” she said. “But in return, he got to have a motorcycle.”
So when she was out riding for two or three hours, her husband often was home watching car racing.
“I think it’s important to be able to pursue your own interests, and it doesn’t have to interfere with the marriage,” Deirdre said. “But we work together, too. He is always very supportive of me and I am always supportive of him.”
She acknowledged that the couple occasionally has arguments, but they do not drive them apart.
“I think the stick-to-it attitude I got from my parents really helped,” she said.
Deirdre’s parents, Carl and Gladys Cooper, celebrated their 69th anniversary in December.
“There must be something in our genes where we don’t give up no matter how hard things get,” Deirdre said. “There are so many ups and downs in life, but you just stick together.”
Deirdre’s mother, Gladys Cooper, said of her 69-year marriage, “we just go along day by day.”
However, Deirdre said she felt sticking together might be harder for young couples today because of the economy. They have more money issues and stress over keeping a job, she said.
Jason and Leah Lagesse of Martinsville have only been married a year, but they said they have learned some of the same things as the Stones.
“We’re both very independent people,” Leah said. “Some people may feel that when you get married your sole purpose is to be with that person, but then interests and other relationships can fall by the wayside.”
“We do things together, but we both have our own interests. If we were together all the time we wouldn’t be able to tell each other about our experiences,” said Jason. “Spending time apart always makes me appreciate her even more.”
Jason said their first year of marriage brought some adjustments “and a few bumps and knocks along the way.” But neither he nor Leah are complaining.
“It’s been an adventure, and we still love each other at the end of the day,” added Leah. “We’ve learned a lot about the importance of communication this year.”
Due to the storm last weekend, they could not celebrate their wedding anniversary as planned, so they are celebrating it on Valentine’s Day today.
“I’m calling it Anni-Valentine’s Day,” said Jason, “It’s going to be even more special on Valentine’s Day. We are planning to go to Greensboro where we will go out to eat and rent a hotel room.”
He began the “Anni-Valentine’s Day” celebration early in the week by buying Leah a 40-ounce box of chocolates. They also tried to eat a piece of cake saved from their wedding, but Leah said it wasn’t too tasty after a year in the freezer.
Christy and Stephen Reynolds of Ridgeway also are celebrating their first wedding anniversary today.
Christy said she and Stephen went to Gatlinburg, Tenn., every year for Valentine’s Day while they were dating, and decided to get married there last year. However, this year they will be staying closer to home, going to dinner and a movie in Roanoke.
“The first year of marriage we went through a whole lot. We bought a house, bought a car and I became pregnant. It’s been wonderful,” said Christy. “But the economy and my pregnancy made us decide not to travel to Gatlinburg for Valentine’s Day this year.”
Lindsey and David Lugrin of Martinsville were married in October. Lindsey said they plan to make dinner at home and watch movies to celebrate Valentine’s Day. They are saving their money for a belated honeymoon to Hawaii this summer.
Amanda and Greg Hackenburg of Martinsville will celebrate their second wedding anniversary in June. Amanda said they do not have any elaborate Valentine’s Day plans, but when she walked out of earshot, Greg confided that he bought her a gift.
“I’m never gonna let her down,” he said. |
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