The New York Taiwan Center for the Elderly celebrated the 60th wedding anniversary (Diamond Anniversary) of five couples at a birthday party on February 20. These seniors expressed gratitude for reaching such a ripe age, and even more so for being able to celebrate 60 years of marriage, a rare and precious achievement.
President of the elderly center, Chen Yiming, mentioned that this was the first time the center celebrated the Diamond Anniversary of couples married for 60 years. Initially, they noticed two couples celebrating their Diamond Anniversary recently, and upon further observation, they found that five couples who regularly participated in center activities had been married for over 60 years. Thus, they decided to hold a joint celebration for them.
These five elderly couples are in their late eighties, looking sharp and radiant. They have endured the ups and downs of life together for half a century, sharing their own remarkable stories and insights on marriage. Some were married under parental arrangements without prior love affairs, while others only tied the knot after a years-long engagement. One elderly gentleman expressed vows at his wedding to stand by his wife through poverty or wealth, sickness or health, showcasing a deep sense of commitment and responsibility.
Wang Haicheng, 89 years old and married to his wife for 66 years, reminisced about their wedding back in the late 1950s in a rural town in Miaoli County, Taiwan. He reflected on the traditional norms of that era, where couples observed strict separations in public, even during walks, and how marriages were often arranged by parents or matchmakers. Despite not seeing his bride’s face before the wedding, Wang expressed contentment with the arranged marriage, believing the decision was wise and well-supported by their elders.
Wang emphasized the importance of parental approval and guidance, asserting that the older generation’s judgment was reliable in assessing character compatibility and marital harmony.
Another couple, Li Mingshan and Lin Meizhu, childhood sweethearts since junior high school, shared their journey of long-distance love through letters before finally getting engaged and married after several years of separation due to academic pursuits. Li eventually transitioned from a teaching career to entrepreneurship, while Lin managed their household and raised three children single-handedly.
Li reflected on their 60 years of marriage with gratitude, attributing their milestone to divine mercy. He praised his wife as a traditional “virtuous wife and caring mother,” emphasizing the importance of mutual understanding and compromise in a successful marriage.
Chi Xiuxiong, 85 years old, married at the age of 23, has been married for 62 years and recounted the hardships they faced during wartime and post-war poverty, highlighting their perseverance and dedication to each other.
As a Christian, Chi emphasized the solemnity and responsibility of marriage vows made before God, stressing the need for mutual love and support through all life’s challenges.
Wang Kangde, 87 years old, born in Northeast China and resettled in Taiwan at a young age, shared his reflection that prioritizing consideration for one another and readiness to compromise are essential in maintaining a harmonious marriage.
Lastly, Shi Xiuzhu and her husband, Xu Fuxiong, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with gratitude for their long life together, cherishing the milestones they reached while acknowledging the fragility of life and the preciousness of enduring love.