How does that saying go? Oh yes, “Love is blind, but marriage is an eye opener.” In honor of the magical day of love we celebrate known as
Valentine’s Day (That’s right, this is your reminder!) we interviewed three local couples who took the plunge. After each of the couples really got to know each other they decided to stay together for the long haul. Cheers to them and to all of you who are celebrating your own love story this Valentine’s Day!

Oddie and Aline Hebert
Married 71 years!
Every Wednesday night is date night.

How did you meet?
Aline: We met through family and friends. I was living at a cousin’s house and Oddie was friends with them.

What three words describe your spouse?
Oddie: Conscientious, attentive and kind.
Aline: Considerate, kind and giving of his time.

Where did you go on your first date?
Aline: To a dance.

What’s the best (most vivid) memory of your wedding day?
Oddie: We were married on a Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. We got to the church and it was decorated for a funeral! I had to go to the priest’s house and wake him up to come to the church to help with the decorations and to perform the service!

What was the first thing that caught your attention when you met your spouse?
Oddie: She was a cute blond!
Aline: He was a nice guy. We had lots to talk about.

What’s the last thing your spouse does before going to bed?
Oddie: She falls asleep in her chair watching TV! I have to wake her up to go to bed.
Aline: He always falls asleep in his chair! I have to wake him up to go to bed.

If your husband won the lottery, what would he buy?
Aline: A new car?
What tool is your wife handy with?
Oddie: Vacuum cleaner.

How many times do you have to ask him to do something before he does it?
Aline: If I ask properly, he does it.

What’s your wife’s natural hair color?
Oddie: Blonde.

How does your husband take his coffee?
Aline: It used to be black, but now he likes a little honey in it.

What’s your wife’s favorite flower?
Oddie: I always give her roses.

What did your husband give you for your last anniversary?
Aline: We don’t give one another presents anymore. But, Oddie always gives me a card for special occasions. He puts it in the bedroom so it’s there first thing in the morning!

How do you keep the romance alive?
Oddie: Trusting each other and spending time together. We’ve renewed our vows five times!

What’s the best relationship advice you can give?
Oddie: You have to trust each other. Jealousy can destroy your relationship.
Aline: It’s a give and take attitude. You have to be considerate and make adjustments.

Richard and Debi Benoit
Married 37 years
They were engaged a month after they met!

How did you meet?
Richard: In labor economics class the summer of 1971. Johnny Walker, now Judge Walker, formally introduced us. (It was a sentence for life. Ha, ha.)

What three words describe your spouse?
Richard: Sincere, religious and caring.
Debi: Loving, laughing and giving.

Where did you go on your first date?
Debi: A fraternity party.

What’s the strangest gift your spouse has given you?
Richard: A grass catcher for my lawn mower.

What was the first thing that caught your attention when you met your spouse?
Richard: Her cockiness.
Debi: We were young and shallow, so I’d say looks are what attracted us.

Who would you say is the better catch?
Richard: I got the better end of the deal!

If your husband would die and come back as a dog, what breed would he be?
Debi: A German Shepherd.

What tool is your wife most handy with?
Richard: A glue gun.

Not many people know, but my spouse is good at...?
Debi: He makes the best French onion soup in the world!

What’s the most she’s ever paid for a pair of shoes?
Richard: Probably a couple hundred. But she wouldn’t tell me. She would say she got them on “sale!”

How many times do you have to ask him to do something before he actually does it?
Debi: Anything that only takes a few minutes, I only have to tell him once and it’s done. But, if it’s a project like putting up a ceiling fan...well, I still have one in the closet that I bought two years ago.

What’s the one thing of your husband’s that you would give away?
Debi: I’ve probably given it away already.

What piece of jewelry would your wife like to receive?
Richard: A bigger diamond for her wedding ring.

When it comes to little home improvements around the house,
is he a do-it-yourself kind of guy or does he hire someone?
Debi: He always wants to try it himself first. Then we usually end up hiring someone to finish the job.

How would you describe your wife’s closet?
Richard: Packed!

How do you keep the romance alive?
Debi: By staying connected day to day. We call or text each other, eat supper together, pray together and socialize with couple friends.

What’s the best relationship advice you can give?
Richard: Honesty.
Debi: Keep God at the center.

“Bo” and Amy Crochet
Married one year
It’s only been a year; the romance is definitely still alive!

How did you meet?
“Bo”: We knew each other from a lifeguard job when we were in high
school. I actually had a crush on her. At the time I was not brave enough
to ask her out on a date. Eight years later I started a new nursing job and
one of the first people I was introduced to was Amy. All it took was that smile and I was hooked.

Who is more romantic?
Amy: I am very affectionate, but I don’t think “Bo” realizes how romantic he is.

What three words describe your spouse?
“Bo”: Beautiful, energetic and talkative.
Amy: Handsome, funny and loving.

What’s your best memory of your wedding day?
Amy: When the two double doors opened “Bo” and I caught eyes. He had a smile from ear to ear. When my dad and I were almost to him I noticed a tear going down his cheek. I will never forget that moment.

Who’s the better cook?
“Bo”: She does 90 percent of the cooking so she is the better cook. She could cook a shoe and it would taste good.

If your husband would win the lottery, what would he buy?
Amy: I don’t think he would buy anything. He would pay off bills and give some of the money to his family and friends.

What tool is your wife most handy with?
“Bo”: The crock pot.

What’s your husband’s least favorite topic of discussion?
Amy: Anything negative involving us. He likes to look at the worst situation in a positive way.

What’s your wife’s favorite flower?
“Bo”: Tulip

If your husband would die and come back as a dog, what breed would he be?
Amy: A Lab. Labs are very friendly, loving and are good hunters.

What one honey-do would your wife love for you to finally complete around the house?
“Bo”: Painting the porch and fixing up the shed.

What’s one thing of your husband’s that you would give away?
Amy: His t-shirt collection. He has way too many t-shirts, his dresser drawers hardly close.

You stop at the corner store to pick up some milk. You decide to get your wife a treat. What do you get?
“Bo”: Sour jacks

Who hogs the covers?
“Bo”: I definitely do!

What’s the best relationship advice you can give?
“Bo”: Communication is extremely important.
Amy: Treasure every moment together, enjoy each other’s company and never go to bed mad at each other. PoV