Love That Lasts: Seven Couples Renew Their Vows at The Culpeper

The celebration of Valentine’s Day can easily be diluted to fleeting expressions of affection, flowers that wilt and chocolates quickly eaten. At The Culpeper, this year’s Valentine’s celebration honored the resilience and endurance of covenant love, reflected in marriages spanning more than four decades and up to 70 years.

Recently, seven resident couples gathered with family, friends, and fellow residents to renew their wedding vows in a ceremony that celebrated decades of shared life, commitment, and faithfulness. Together, the couples represent almost 400 years of marriage, a remarkable reflection of love that has endured through joy, challenge, and change.

The ceremony opened with remarks from Executive Director Jim Jacobsen, who welcomed guests and thanked the many team members who helped bring the day together. He shared his admiration for the couples, noting that the celebration was not only about the vows spoken years ago, but about the countless ways those vows had been lived out over time.

The Culpeper’s Chaplain, Hans Murdock, led the vow renewal, grounding the ceremony in the idea of marriage as a covenant, one marked by faithfulness and perseverance. He reminded those gathered that covenant relationships are not always easy, but they endure because of daily commitment and grace.

“Today we celebrate not just a renewal of vows,” Hans shared, “but faithfulness in a covenant. A covenant that has stood the test of time.”

Each couple renewed their promises to love, honor, and support one another, reaffirming commitments first made decades earlier. From 31 years of marriage to an incredible 70 years, the couples shared wisdom shaped by lived experience.

Their advice was simple, honest, and heartfelt: laugh often, say “I’m sorry,” put each other first, never give up, and above all, love one another.

As the rings were blessed and vows reaffirmed, the ceremony concluded with applause, celebration, a beautiful cake from The Culpeper’s Culinary team, and a joyful reminder that love continues to grow, even after many decades.

At The Culpeper, these seven couples offer a beautiful example of what it means to build a life together, one day, one promise, and one renewed vow at a time. Read on for each couple’s advice for long-lasting partnerships.

Bill and Barbara Benson

Married 67 years

Advice for love that lasts: “Never give up. Love is everything.”

Bob and Linda Brockman

Married 47 years

Advice for love that lasts: “Stay in love. Put each other first, laugh together, and remember why you chose one another.”

Don and Margie Fisher

Married 61 years

Advice for love that lasts: “Say ‘yes, dear.’ And keep loving one another and working things out.”

Doug and Peggy Kyle

Married 63 years

Advice for love that lasts:

Doug:“Saying ‘yes ma’am.’”
Peggy: “Love and laughter… and two beautiful daughters.”

Guy and Vivia Mattox

Married 70 years

Advice for love that lasts:

Vivia: “Learn to say ‘I’m sorry.’”
Guy: “Pick the right person the first time.”

Jerry and Margaret Morris

Married 31 years

Advice for love that lasts:

“Marry your best friend and laugh a lot.”

Fred and Carol Wheeler

Married 54 Years

Advice for love that lasts:

“Don’t take things too seriously. Keep it light. Marriage is work, but it should also be full of laughter.”