Love will keep them alive.
Brooklyn’s longest-lasting married couples celebrated their enduring love at a lunch at Borough Hall’s annual Golden Couples event on Friday. The yearly Valentine’s shindig celebrates pairs who have been betrothed for 50 years or more, and attendees say they were wowed by the borough’s devotion to keeping the flame alive.
“It was just perfect, very beautiful,” said Shiela Ganoz, a Sheepshead Bay resident who has been married to her husband Anton for 64 years.
Host Borough President Adams gave a champagne toast to honor the nearly 200 couples in attendance, who enjoyed with food, dancing, and each other’s company.
One attendee said he had a blast chatting with the other pairs about their secrets to continuing matrimonial bliss, revealing that he has stayed together with his wife for more than a half-decade by always remembering why they fell for each other in the first place.
“Love and respect each other and don’t forget the first week of marriage,” said Crown Heights resident Esiah Ingram, who met his wife Mary in high school and has been married to her for 59 years. “I don’t think my life would be any sweeter than being with her.”
This was the fourth year the pair honored their love at the lunch, and Ingram said he can’t wait to celebrate his diamond anniversary and beyond in the years to come.
“Make every day seem like the last,” said Ingram. “We’re looking forward to 50 more years together.”
