BECOMING THE MRS. — Dianne and Ray Plummer’s favorite memories were their wedding day and when each of their children and grandchildren were born. Dianne remembers being completely overwhelmed and exhilarated when she was called Mrs. Plummer. (Photo by Elisa Walker)

WARSAW — Couples who have been together for decades may not always have the right words to describe themselves or their relationship. They’re more likely to struggle with accurate dates and a few memories but words are a bit less significant than actions when it comes to a matured relationship.

The true love and likeness lies between the shared glances, tiny giggles, sparkling eyes and delicate hand holding. They may not remember the exact moment they fell in love or how they knew this was the right person for them, but the wave of emotions they felt will never be forgotten.

Ray and Dianne Plummer of Warsaw have been married for 59 years while Dana and Sherry Krull of Leesburg have been married for 49 years. Both couples hold a deep respect for each other’s ideas and opinions while agreeing that maintaining common core values has helped them keep a strong and wonderful relationship. Family, faith, respect and priorities are a few values shared within these relationships.

“We love each other very much,” commented Dianne. “When you get married, you think you really love this person but it just grows and grows. It’s wonderful. That doesn’t mean we have a perfect marriage by any means, but we work through our problems. We love first. We listen to each other. We’re very good about apologizing, forgiving and admitting when we’re wrong.”

“I married the right person,” added Ray. “She’s been a positive influence in my life. She was always very sweet and personable. That was the kind of person I wanted.”

Whether a chance encounter happens through a college class or a mother who decided to play Cupid, when the Plummers and Krulls were married there was hardly any doubt or worry. Both engagements happened just months after they started dating, their intuition leading them to believe they were with the right person.

“It’s fun and exciting,” chuckled Sherry. “You have all those feelings of love at that time and you just know.”

“We just thought we knew,” countered Dana.

Both couples had the benefit of owning their own businesses, creating room for each other so that even when they were working they were still together. They were fortunate enough to always be with each other and their children as they grew older together.

No relationship is without its rough patches, but the choices that are made in those difficult moments is what can make or break a connection with someone. Love is not just a feeling, but a choice. Relationships are mixed with intimate moments and a small decisions; the little things are much larger than they appear.

While love may not look the same as it does in the movies, with spotlights to declare an eloquent monologue complete with cliched and overused lines, true love exists. It isn’t something that’s marketed. It’s different for everyone.

Sometimes true love takes shape of waking up a little earlier to make breakfast in bed or doing the dishes even though it’s the others’ turn. It’s a difficult road to walk down, but no one ever said it was easy.

A CHOICE AND A FEELING — Sherry and Dana Krull say that love can be both a feeling and a choice, grateful that they chose each other. Even when there are problems, they still choose to love each other even when their feelings may be clouded over by other things in life. (Photo by Elisa Walker)