TEMPLE, Texas — Each year, sweet love stories continue to blossom on Valentine's Day. In honor of the holiday, Temple seniors at the Mercy House are sharing their unique stories of love while also giving advice for long-lasting relationships.
It takes respect, commitment and communication to create a lifetime of love. Two Temple women were lucky enough to experience this with their husbands.
For Joyce Benge, it all started back in 1994.
"His little brother was my around the corner neighbor," Benge said. "And it just happened."
They tied the knot in May of 1995.
"He just made everybody feel comfortable," Benge said. "He was just a really nice person."
Even when her husband, Leon Benge, wasn't near, she would find a way to hear his voice.
"My sister's and I took a trip to Tipton, Oklahoma, we were all born there," Benge said. "We had a really nice trip. My sister teased me because I called Leon every night when we stopped at a motel."
The Benge's made all the beautiful memories.
"I baptized him in Jesus' name and it just was wonderful," Benge said. "We were married 26 years."
This Valentine's, she won't get to spend it with her husband.
"He went in to the hospital on our 26th anniversary," Benge said. "He passed away."
However, on this Feb. 14, she will get to spend it with her friend, Joyce Fulgham.
Fulgham was married for 25 years to her husband.
"I was here working in Temple and we just got together," Fulgham said.
Somehow she says she ended up with him.
"Did you know whenever you saw him that he was going to be the person you ended up with?" 6 News Reporter Sydney Dishon asked.
"No," Fulgham said back. "No way."
Her love for him can move mountains today.
"He was a good person and a good man," Fulgham said. "I'll love him to the end."
Both Joyce's are hand-in-hand together at the Mercy House on this Valentine's Day.
They are both without husbands, but they have each other and hope they can help others have a long-lasting marriage like them.
"Well of course, there's love," Benge told 6 News. "But try to be understanding because none of us think alike. Neither of us walked out on the other."
More stories from Reporter Sydney Dishon: