Marriages That Lasted

Do you remember some of the pop songs from our era that told us that "puppy love" would never last, that teen romances were only temporary?

Well, our 1958 graduating class has evidence that blows that sentiment all to pieces. At our reunion there were living examples of couples who met each other in high school, said their "I do's" after graduation and are still married to their "first husband" or "first wife".

Bobby LaBrant met Sara Emery at Northeast and took her on a blind date with Bob Vannatta. This couple has not only stayed married but they have worked together in various business interests all their lives. And they STILL love each other. It's not hard to tell.

Dave Larson met Aloyse Flood at Northeast and they were an "item" from that moment on. Dave always has high compliments (and book dedications) to Aloyse when he writes another volume in his family biography. She has that bright-eyed, sparkling look in her eyes that she always had and when you see Dave, you see Aloyse. Those two are "keepers".

John Krege met Trudy Andringa at Northeast; that led to a wedding while they were in college. It should be against the law how good they look these days. They do a lot of traveling (which you know that you don't do with people you don't like.)

Mike Coughlin (who always had a mischievous twinkle in his eye as he walked around the campus) met Clarice Slover at Northeast. Clarice was tall and slender (still is) with dignity and grace (still applies) and she said yes to Mike's proposal. Those two are still an attractive couple, enjoying each other's company.

Carly Freck, one of our active-in-everything classmates, was attracted to someone in the graduating class just ahead of ours. She married Laird Bryson and has been his partner as he has practiced medicine and then switched over into a vocation in the clergy. Now they tour the USA in an RV, so you know they must enjoy each other's company. And they both look great.

Frank Kapocsi met Pat Smith at Northeast, married her, and shared his life with her as a Publix executive. They live in Lakeland now, enjoying their children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren. They both looked younger than ever (it should be against the law) and were a living example of "marriages that work".

Ed Stinson met Terry Reichelderfer at Northeast. (Note: I am so proud that I can spell her maiden name correctly because I first learned how when we were students at North Ward Elementary.) They are another couple who experienced that "young love", decided to make it a permanent thing, and stayed in love all this time. They're enjoying the "country quiet" of Dunnellon after living in Pinellas County for a lot of years. (Ed was employed by the Clearwater Fire Department.)