Herbert and Zelmyra Fisher. The North Carolina couple went down in history for having the longest marriage. 86 years! Even made it into the Guinness Book! They were married in 1924!
In my quest to find out what the secret to a successful marriage is, I found information about this couple and had to share an interview they had before Herbert died last year.
Their secret? As basic as one statement: “You just have to be invested and make it work the way you need to make it work.”
Here’s a little of what Herbert and Zelmyra said taken from http://thestir.cafemom.com/love_sex/136313/worlds_longest_married_couple_has:
What made you realize that you could spend the rest of your lives together? Were you scared at all?
H&Z: With each day that passed, our relationship was more solid and secure. Divorce was NEVER an option—or even a thought.
What are the most important attributes of a good spouse?
Zelmyra: A hard worker & good provider. The 1920s were hard, but Herbert wanted & provided the best for us. I married a good man!
At the end of bad relationship day, what is the most important thing to remind yourselves?H&Z: Marriage is not a contest—never keep a score. God has put the two of you together on the same team to win.
Does communicating get easier with time? How do you keep your patience?
H&Z: The children are grown, so we talk more now. We can enjoy our time on the porch or our rocking chairs together.
BOTTOM LINE:
Nothing good ever comes from giving up and/or quitting. They continually said, “You have to be willing to stick it out.”