When John and Ann Betar eloped in 1932, they were just 21 and 17. Today John, who is 104 and Ann 100, proudly share helpful advice on how to remain married for eight decades. “The secret to our long-lasting union is that it’s important to be content with what you have. Also, respect each other,” said John. “Listen to an older person,” says Ann, “whether you want to or not. We both learned that from our parents-respect an older person’s words.”
After 83 years of marriage, Ann still cooks, cleans, reads, makes the bed, waters the plants and hosts family gatherings. John, a Syrian refugee, still drives, cuts grocery coupons and handles the finances. The Betars reflect on how they “struggled in the beginning.” Ann’s father wanted her to marry a much older, wealthier gentleman, not John, the local Connecticut produce peddler. In the morning, Annie would walk with her friends to high school as John drove by in his Ford Roadster, giving them all a lift. Fortunately, the great-grandmother followed her heart, fled to Harrison, New York and said, “I do.”
“We’re just lucky to be together. So fortunate,” said John.
Though the country was in the throes of the Great Depression when the couple met, the Betars, who boast of 14 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren, have taken on a new frontier: Twitter. With the assistance of Worldwide Marriage Encounter, a Christian organization, America’s oldest couple took time to answer relationship questions on Twitter.
When asked in a recent Tweet, “What are some things you do to keep things fresh, new and entertaining?”
“We hang onto one another!” replied Ann. “Just a few hugs and we’re fine.”
“The best part of life?” John added, “just simply being together.”
To view more advice on Twitter from John and Ann Betar, visit @Handy.
