Photographer Tracey Buyce of Saratoga Springs, New York has created an amazing series of photographs celebrating couples who know how to make love work. Tracey, inspired by the love her parents shared, decided to hold a contest for couples married 40 years or longer. Three winning couples would receive a free portrait session, a flash drive of the pictures, and a selection of prints. She was so overwhelmed and inspired by the response, though, that she expanded the contest to allow more winners. With her permission, I am pleased to share the pictures and love stories of four couples, all of whom have been married for more than sixty years.
Gloria and Walter, married 65 years
Nominated by the activities director at their retirement community, Kellie. She said,
“We have many couples here at Prestwick Chase who have been married for over 60 years. One couple who sticks out to me is Gloria and Walter Blair. They are such a loving couple and have been married for 65 years. They have raised 5 beautiful daughters.”
Martha And George, married 70 years
Martha and George were nominated by their son, George. Said George,
“My parents, George and Martha Beck will be celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary on August 19th. [My father’s] profession required that he was away from home for long periods of time. This left the task of raising a family primarily in the hands of my mother…Because of this my parents made it a point to travel and do things with us as a family when he was not at sea. As a husband and father myself, I often wonder how, in spite of long periods of separation, my parents raised three successful and loving children let alone how they have remained married for almost seven decades and to this day they display a deep love and respect for each other. There must be truth to the adage that absence makes the heart grow fonder.”
Norbert and Mary, married 71 years
Norbert and Mary were nominated by their granddaughter-in-law, Kaitlin, who said,
“I am nominating Greg’s grandparents, Nobert and Mary…This couple is one of the most amazing, most lovely couples and I am so honored to know them. They are still so much in love and it shows. Their love is reflected in their 13 children, 24 grandchildren and the growing number of great grandchildren. At 92 and 94, they travel, read, garden, watch Jeopardy, and love sharing fond memories and stories”
Russ and Elinore, married 63 years
Russ and Elinore were nominated by family-friend Katherine, who said,
“Their love story began 65 years ago when Russ (18) and Elinor (15) met ice-skating. Everybody told them they weren’t old enough to be in love but they didn’t see it and were married on June 24, 1951…Out of a lifetime of love, came six children, 16 grandchildren and six great grandchildren (so far)…Memories their children share of growing up include: their parents dancing in the kitchen every morning, camping at Rogers Rock every summer and countless family gatherings….To this day they hold hands like love struck teenagers and seek each other out when separated with ?Where is my sweetheart? or ?Have you seen my honey?? Russ and Elinor exemplify the purity of love in its every form. I can’t think of a more deserving couple for this tribute.”
