Observing the love story of most people nowadays, it doesn’t seem to last long. Most relationships fall shortly and are not mostly based on true love. If we go back in time and see how much our grandparents or older people fell in love with, we see and feel that ultimate love that they have felt and shared.
Love stories that have endured the test of time and left a mark in history are always a true inspiration especially to the new generation. It is very rare nowadays to see such a situation where a relationship is bound by love and respect. Gone are the days when people marry because of pure love and not just because of the man impregnating the woman.
A Love Story that Withstood the Test of Time
The following story testifies what true love is all about. It is a love story that lasted for seven decades and it will definitely melt your heart.
Preble Staver, born on October 17, 1921, met Isabell Whitney, born October 31 of the same year, on a blind date when they were studying in Philadelphia. Since that day, these two teenage lovers already knew that they are destined to travel life together.
When the United States entered the World War II, they both decided to sign up and chose to serve the country. Staver joined as a Marine and he ended up receiving a Bronze Star. Meanwhile, Whitney decided to serve the Navy as nurse in Maryland. Indeed, their love became stronger even though they were far from each other.
After the end of the war, five months later, the two reunited and married of February 15, 1946. Blessed with life full of love and joy, they had the determination to cope with all difficulties together. After the war, Staver worked as a lobbyist and banker. Hence, they had to move a lot around the US. They went to places such as Virginia, Florida, and South Carolina.
One of their five children, Laurie Staver Clinton, 63, shared that her father, Preble, was a “tall, outgoing man with a strong, ‘larger than life’ personality and Isabell was described as “[her] heart” and someone who “taught [her] how to be a kind person, how to be a compassionate person.”
Unfortunately, in 1975, their son, Peter, died during the last football game of his high school senior year.
Laurie recalls what happened then:
“At that point, we began to really see a softer side of my dad. Parents aren’t supposed to bury their kids and that really took a toll on my folks, but it also brought them together. Something like that can either tear a couple apart, but they made a pact to get through it together. They really were each other’s support team.”
Furthermore, life continues to throw challenges to the family. In 2013, Isabell began showing signs of dementia. As a result, this made the couple move into a long-term care facility in Norfolk, Virginia. They stayed in the same place but slept in separate rooms. These were the times when the couple was tested the greatest. It is quite especially for Preble as he watched his loved one suffer and drift deeper into the disease.
Before his 96th birthday comes, Preble had one last wish – to have one more nap with his beloved wife.
With the help of the staff of the facility, his wish was granted. The couple then had three hours of a nap together. And, it was clear that memories went back and they enjoyed their true love once more, being one beside the other.
“There was not a single word spoken between the two of them. They held hands and just fell asleep.
A few days afterward, on October 25, 2017, Isabell passed away. Her husband Preble was there beside her to bid her goodbye. After 14 hours, Preble followed and died, too.
This was the end of their amazing life together. Their love here on earth may have lasted for 71 years but their love will continue to grow and foster in the afterlife. Without a doubt, their love has left an unforgettable mark in the lives of people they had met and to all those who will ever read this.
Inspired by her parent’s love tale, Laurie puts it in a nutshell:
“Mom and dad really lived out that. If you make a commitment, and even though life gets rough or life gets in the way, you work through life. And you live your life together.”
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