The Ties That Bind

In this day of low commitment and easy divorce, it's a big deal for a couple to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. Now imagine a family where everyone reaches their 50th.

Meet the Estes siblings of Indiana. Each of the two brothers and five sisters has celebrated a golden wedding anniversary. No surprise, considering their mother and pastor father were married almost 60 years.

The Indianapolis Star article listed each couple and their secret to long-lasting marriage.

Agnes Estes Byrd, 83, and Howard Byrd, 84
Married 61 years
Agnes Estes Byrd: "We had a good home life. Our mother and dad stayed together for all eight of us, and we had a poor home, but we had a good home."

Kathleen Hardy Estes and Douglas Estes
Married 60 years
Douglas Estes: "We just love each other. There isn't much else to it. We just love each other."

Gladys Estes Maple, in her 70s
Married to Bob Maple for 52 years before Bob died eight years ago.
Gladys Estes Maple: "It would be my mom and dad and how they loved us so much that they gently let us know what we were to do and not to do . . . ."

Grace Bossert Estes, 81, and Charles Estes, 76
Married 57 years
Grace Bossert Estes: "You take it day by day. I have no secret -- the days just pile up."

Joyce Estes Samples, 74, and John Samples, 74
Married 57 years
John Samples: "You stay through the hard times and adapt. Like my wife said, she's always loved me, but there have been days she didn't like me. With commitment, you make it through those days."

Eula Estes Champion, 71, and L.B. Champion, 79
Married 54 years
L.B. Champion: "We love each other; we were committed. It's something that doesn't happen anymore."

Sue Estes Bass, 69, and Edwin Bass, 73
50th anniversary was Saturday
Sue Estes Bass: "You have to respect each other and work hard to respect each other. Every day you have to make your love work -- that's how we've done it."

And one parting word from the one of the 71 counted among their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

"They've always been like that. They are always hugging on each other and kissing on each other," said Dustin Brown, the grandson of Sue and Edwin Bass. "You just know they all love each other."

I'm betting that the legacy of love and commitment will continue with the coming generations.

* Photo by Charlie Nye - Indianapolis Star