Bruce & Sue Kirk
- Married Since 1961
The first week in April 1960, eight months after my family moved to Oshkosh, mutual friends introduced us at our local roller-skating rink. We went skating there again the following weekend—together. The next weekend we went for a Sunday afternoon drive. As a female junior in High School (Bruce had graduated 4 years previously), and because of the encouragement of our friends, I got up enough nerve to invite him to the annual May Day Dance. He accepted, we had a great time and a few days later he told me that was the day he realized he loved me. It took me a little longer than that. We then dated each other exclusively during my senior year.
I graduated in June and we were married in September.
We’ve enjoyed almost 65 years together. We’ve had our share of ups and downs (especially heath-wise) but with the Lord guiding and directing, we feel very blessed. We’ve moved several times but always within the Fox Valley. We both had jobs we enjoyed-mine were part-time after our sons were in school. We value our many friends and our great church home. Both of our sons, their wives and two of our grandchildren live close enough to see regularly. Our other granddaughter, her husband and our great grandson (unfortunately for us) live in Montana. We’ve enjoyed retirement for over 25 years, wintering in Arizona, traveling within the United States and on several cruises also. Our health is keeping us closer to home these days, but we’ve accepted that and will make the most of it, as always.
Marriage Advice: Commitment – to your marriage, to each other, no exceptions
Communication – with each other, every day
Compromise – meet each other halfway, actually go a little more than half