More often than not, we wrongly assume that perfect marriages do not exist. With the rise of domestic skirmishes, life partners are parting ways and the distances between them is growing. The divorce rate is increasing every day. But amidst all that, there is a piece of wholesome news. The news comes from a community in Nova Scotia where long-time lovebirds have been together for eight decades.
This summer, the couple is celebrating its 80th marriage anniversary – a dedication to their life-long commitment. CNN Lifestyle reaches out to lifelong partners and asks them about the secrets and ‘the hooks’ of living together for their whole life. “We have done no magic,” says Annie Muse who turns 100 this July. However, what seems obvious about the couple is that they have worked hard and walked their talks throughout the 80 years they have been together. The lovebirds have been through the ebbs and flows of life throughout their eight-decade-long marriage. They have seen the two world wars, cold wars, nations collapsing, and financial uncertainties.
But they have hailed every life challenge with a full heart and have come out as the perfect couples we all yearn to be. If we put it realistically, such a commitment that takes a whole life is not more than wishful thinking. The irony is that the couples argue that there has been ‘no hook’ and no magic that has glued the couple together. “We have worked hard,” Charlie tells CNN Lifestyle with a mouthful of a smile on his face.
Furthermore, the couple tells CNN Lifestyle that their relationship was not autonomous either. Instead, there were skirmishes and disagreements at times. But what changed their relationship into a long-lasting one is the fact that they worked on the disagreements that they had. With mutual understanding, they came up with a solution for every problem. According to the couple, this is the secret of their lifelong and successful marriage.
Annie and Charlie, who are 100 years old now, are recalling the first time they met. “It was at the church supper,” recalls Charlie as he smiles and looks at his lifelong significant other, Annie Muse.
Charlie confesses that Annie looked “gorgeous” with that curly blonde hair. He also believes that she is still prettier than many girls in their 20s. Likewise, Annie vividly recalls how handsome Charlie was in the ’40s. By the time they tied the knot in 1942, they were 28 years old. Annie confesses that after saying “yes, I do!” she has never looked up to any other man.
Nevertheless, the couple celebrated their 80th marriage anniversary at the house they had bought for $2,000 in the 1950s. Although it was a simple get-together of their kids and close relatives, the lovebirds shared their long journey together and how other couples can draw inspiration from it.