FAIRFIELD, Conn.
(AP) -- John and Ann Betar weren't supposed to get married. Her
father had arranged for her to wed another man, but she and John fled
Bridgeport and eloped in New York.
That was
more than 80 years ago. The couple is still happily hitched, a fact that
has led to their naming as the "longest married couple" in the U.S. for
2013 by Worldwide Marriage Encounter, a Christian marriage group based
in San Bernardino, Calif.
The Betars are
scheduled to receive a plaque and other gifts from the group at their
granddaughter's home in Fairfield on Saturday.
They told the New York Daily News that there are no secrets to a long marriage, only a few simple rules.
"We just live with contentment and we don't live beyond our means," John Betar said. "Just go with the flow."
John's
now 101 years old and Ann is 97, and they're still living in their home
along the Fairfield shore. They had five children, 14 grandchildren and
16 great grandchildren. Two of their children died in their 60s.
Ron
and Judy Pekny of Worldwide Marriage Encounter say the title of
"longest married couple" is based on nominations the group received, so
there may be some couples who have been married longer.
John
and Ann grew up across the street from each other in Bridgeport, and
John used to drive Ann to high school in his Ford Roadster. They fell in
love. When her father arranged for her to marry someone else, they
eloped in Harrison, N.Y., about 25 miles north of New York City.
John went on to open a grocery store in Bridgeport.
Ann
Betar told the Hearst Connecticut Media Group around their 80th
anniversary in November that family has been a key to their longevity.
"That's
what makes life what it is," she said. "We were fortunate enough to
live long enough to see this ... and it's really one of the most
gratifying things in the world to see your great-grandchildren, to see
your grandchildren become adults."
John Betar added, "That's what keeps us alive. We live for them."
Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
