Ralph is now 89 and Mary Jo 88. While age may have slowed the couple down a bit, they still live in their own home and even made it through the floods in Columbus last spring. The couple had just returned from the grocery store when a neighbor knocked on the door to tell them the water was rising. In the short time since their return, water had entered their street and was halfway up their driveway. It didn’t come any closer and Ralph said they were stuck in the house for about a week, “watching the helicopter fly over and the boats go by.” Having be prepared as a motto, there was no question of running out of food as granddaughter Kathy said Mary Jo always has a full freezer and could probably have fed the neighborhood.

Ralph said his birthday celebration was a little different this year as Mary Jo forgot his birthday so instead of the angel food cake she always makes him he got brownies. But that was all right as they were together just as they have been for 70 years.

Ralph is expecting that angel food cake today, as it has also become a Valentine tradition and he thinks there will another cake in April when they celebrate their anniversary with family.

“Whenever we had an argument, I went for a walk,” Ralph said when asked about the secret of a successful marriage. “I got a lot of fresh air. There have to be two to argue. So I’d walk.”

The couple have also made the church a part of their lives, first at Plainville Christian, then First Christian in Washington and now East Columbus Christian Church.

“Everyday’s a good day,” Ralph said. “Some are just better than others.”