Forever Valentines: Married for 70 Years

Saying "I love you" to each other more than 25,000 times in 70 years is part of the formula to a long-lasting happy marriage, like that of Dwight, 95, and Mignonette "Min" Hurlbert, 92, of Severna Park.

Those words of affection along with holding hands and sharing the same interests for seven decades is enough to keep these two forever Valentines content.

Raised in neighboring towns in Nebraska, the Hurlberts were married in York, NE, on Sept. 16, 1941. They both agreed the vows to honor one another "until death do us part" were not just words spoken many years ago, but words to live by, in good times and bad.

Dwight Hurlbert was a career Army man, with Min as his partner as they spent nine years stationed in exotic places like the Philippines, Ecuador, Colombia, Japan and lastly, before Dwight retired in 1967, in Saudi Arabia.

"She's [Min] been my soldier mate throughout my military career," said Hurlbert.

The couple traveled together extensively after his retirement.

Their home reflects their travels, with pieces of furniture and accessories from all over the world dotting the house, along with Min's oil paintings lining each wall, showing her vast talent and interests.

"I'm happy with the marriage and all of the traveling we did together ... looking back, I wouldn't want it any other way," Min said. "We are as one."

The two are golfers and bowlers, and spending recreational time together also was key to their successful marriage said Min, who continued her pursuit of painting after Dwight's retirement while he heavily researched his family genealogy.

"This beautiful couple has kept the spark of love ignited in their relationship since the first day they met, and they have no trouble reminding each other of that on a daily basis," said Becky Chamberlain, the couple's daughter. "Multiple times a day you can hear 'I love you' from one, while the other responds, 'I love you too.'

"Maybe it’s their love that’s kept them going for this many years, or possibly God has something to do with it. But no matter how it has come about … it was and is meant to be true love forever for these two wonderful people."

The couple, which has lived in Severna Park for 51 years, celebrated their new milestone with an open house for family and friends hosted by Chamberlain and their granddaughter Chara.

They have two sons, Rodney and Jack, five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.