Khaberni - A couple from Miami recently received the title for the longest marriage in the world, and in speaking about their marriage that lasted 83 years, the couple Eleanor "107 years old" and Lyle Gettens "108 years old", said the secret to their lasting relationship simply lies in their love for each other.
According to "The Guardian", the couple's marriage was confirmed by the website LongeviQuest, which is an online site that keeps records of people who are 100 years old or more, and the organization verified their marriage certificate issued in 1942, the U.S. Census records, and other documents.
The Gettens family received the title after the death of Manuel Angelim Dino "106 years old" and his wife Maria de Souza Dino "102 years old" from Brazil, who were considered the world's longest-married couple after being married for 85 years.
Their story is unique; they endured war and many hardships. Eleanor and Lyle first met at a college basketball game in 1941, where Lyle was playing for Clark Atlanta University, and Eleanor was there as a spectator.
The couple married on June 4, 1942, when Lyle was on a three-day leave from his military training in Georgia, and while Lyle served in Italy with the 92nd Infantry Brigade of the U.S. Army, Eleanor worried about seeing him alive again.
While pregnant with their first child, she moved to New York City, where she met Lyle's family, and stayed in touch with him by writing letters while she worked, though the army monitored every letter.
After the war, the Gettens settled in New York, passed the civil service exam together, took up government jobs, and traveled, including to Eleanor's favorite place, Guadalupe.
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Eleanor achieved a Doctorate in Urban Education from Fordham University at the age of 69, and the couple also remained active in the Clark Atlanta Alumni Association before moving to Miami to be near their daughter Angela.
Lyle said he enjoys spending time with Eleanor and is happy to have her, and added that they enjoy their time, having spent many moments together.
