Love is in the air during February, so we decided to ask some questions about – what else – love. We talked with three couples and got their insight on what makes a successful, happy marriage, and what Valentine’s Day memories are their favorites. Here’s what these three Brazos couples – the Gureckys, the Richards and the Smiths – had to say.
Joe and Doris Gurecky
absolutely! Brazos: Where and when did you meet?
Joe and Doris Gurecky: We met in the 7th grade while attending Needville Junior High.
Joe and Doris Gurecky
AB: Where and when did you get married?
D: We were married at 9 am on November 9, 1957 at Michael’s Catholic Church in Needville, Texas.
AB: Do you have children/grandchildren?
J: We have two daughters, Pam Koepke and Tama Dorman, and six grandchildren: Courtney, Blake and Blair Koepke and Kylie, Kellen, Luke and Jacob Dorman.
AB: What is your favorite Valentine’s Day memory together?
J: When we were seniors in high school, we committed to going “steady” with one another on Valentine’s Day.
AB: What is your philosophy on marriage?
J & D: You have to work on your relationship every day. Being Catholic, we believe that marriage is a sacrament uniting a man and a woman, which was instituted by Christ and should not be entered into lightly.
AB: What is your favorite thing about your spouse?
J: Doris has always supported me in whatever I chose to pursue – farming/ranching, starting a business or running for mayor.
D: Joe is considerate, understanding, helpful and supportive. Best of all, he still opens doors for me and brings me coffee to bed every morning.
AB: What is your advice for a happy marriage?
J & D: Even though marriage is a partnership, it is not a 50/50 arrangement. Always commit to going the “extra mile” by helping one another accomplish their goals. Never attack one another’s character. Tell each other “I love you” every day or several times a day. Do little things for each other to show your love.
AB: At the end of a bad relationship day, what is the most important thing to remind yourselves?
J & D: Remind yourself of the love that you have for each other, and never fall asleep without resolving a conflict and forgiving one another’s short comings. Remember that no one is perfect.
AB: What is your favorite lesson you have learned from being married?
J & D: We both have learned to be more patient and understanding and that we should never lose sight of the respect that we owe one another. This is the legacy that we want to leave our children, grandchildren and friends.
Michael and Beverly Richard
AB: Where and when did you meet?
Michael and Beverly Richard: We met on a blind date in the spring of 1968. We went to a Peter, Paul and Mary concert in Huntsville. Michael was at Texas A&M and Beverly at Sam Houston at a time when there were not many females at A&M!
Michael and Beverly Richard
AB: Where and when did you get married?
M & B: We got married in Rosenberg in 1969.
AB: Do you have children/grandchildren?
M & B: We have two grown sons, two wonderful daughter-in-laws and two young grandchildren, Hannah and Connor.
AB: What is your favorite Valentine’s Day memory together?
M & B: We splurged and spent the night in a hotel in Houston and went to a Peter, Paul and Mary concert. It brought back great memories.
AB: What is your philosophy on marriage?
M: Be flexible!
B: Appreciate the little things your spouse does!
AB: What is your favorite thing about your spouse?
M: Beverly is a loving person and a great cook.
B: Michael is strong at things that are not my strengths.
AB: What is your advice for a happy marriage?
B: When my grandmother, Edna Walenta, celebrated her 50th wedding anniversary, I asked her, “Grandma, how do you stay married to the same man for so long?” Her words have stuck with me since that day. “Beverly, you have to work at your marriage every day. The day you quit working is the day it quits working!”
AB: At the end of a bad relationship day, what is the most important thing to remind yourselves?
M & B: That we love each other.
AB: What is your favorite lesson you have learned from being married?
M: Be patient, and your wife is usually right.
B: Appreciate the little things your husband does for you.
Bud and Lila Smith
AB: Where and when did you meet?
Bud and Lila Smith: We met in Houston and were introduced by a mutual friend.
Bud and Lila Smith
AB: Where and when did you get married?
L: We got married in the Fort Bend County Courthouse in Judge Jodie Stavinoha’s office. Judge Stavinoha performed the ceremony on November 13, 1981. Thirteen is our lucky – and favorite – number!
AB: Do you have children/grandchildren?
L: With our blended family, we have five children. I have two, Joe and Anita, and Bud has three: Keely, Carl and Connie. We have seven grandchildren and four step-grandchildren.
AB: What is your favorite Valentine’s Day memory together?
L: When we got our first home computer, I purchased several card programs. Bud decided he would make a card for me for Valentine’s Day. He got it made, but not being familiar with the program, he ended up printing 17 cards! We joked that he had Valentine’s Day covered for the next 17 years.
AB: What is your philosophy on marriage?
L: I believe that a happy, harmonious, exciting and stress-free marriage with someone you love, who also loves you and has the same interests, helps promote good mental and physical health. This makes for a happy life together.
AB: What is your favorite thing about your spouse?
B: Lila is the best person I have ever known. She never puts herself first; she is always doing for others – especially me! Just like Elvis, she takes care of business.
AB: What is your advice for a happy marriage?
B: To have a healthy marriage, make sure you like the person you marry as much as you love them. I like being with Lila as much as I love her.
AB: At the end of a bad relationship day, what is the most important thing to remind yourselves?
B: I imagine if “that” day comes, we will remind ourselves that life is not perfect, but tomorrow will be better.
AB: What is your favorite lesson you have learned from being married?
L: Thirty-three years with a kind, helpful and loving spouse who always fills the car with gas for me has taught me you can get through anything. Since we have been married, we have lost both of our mothers, two grandchildren, lost our jobs at KFRD Radio on the very same day, suffered through my broken ankle and several other things that could have gotten us down, but we always say, “We will get through this.” And, we always do.