Couple shares Valentine’s Day for 60th time since 1954

When people think of Valentine’s Day, what often comes to mind is candy, cards, and romance. Yet for many people, the institution of marriage is the most romantic way to celebrate love.Tecumseh residents Larry and Marilyn Adams are celebrating their 60th Valentine’s Day together as a married couple this year. Marriage has been a journey for them in many ways, and their life together as Mr. and Mrs. Adams began on Thanksgiving Day in 1954.The wedding took place at St. Anthony’s Church in Detroit. The wedding was not attended by hundreds of guests and did not have a $40,000 price tag. A small wedding with about 30 guests was all the couple wanted and could afford.“You don’t have big weddings if you don’t have the money. It was just our families,” Marilyn said. “We were very happy and we were very young. It doesn’t really matter, the big wedding, what matters is to stay together.”Marilyn knew she wanted to spend her life with Larry, and, although some family members encouraged the couple to wait, she wanted to be married to Larry as soon as possible. Although Larry and Marilyn had to get used to being a married couple, their love for each other and their faith in God made the transition smooth.Both believe marriage does require two people to adapt to living together, and can be challenging in the beginning. “You have to adjust to the other person’s personality,” said Larry. “You think you’re always going to be broke. The biggest thing you need in marriage is the truth and to have God in your marriage.”Larry and Marilyn had eight children, six daughters and two sons. Their children have blessed them with 22 grandchildren and three-and-a-half great-grandchildren, with the half grandchild arriving within the month.The Adams lived for many years in Westland, and then retired to Tecumseh in 1991 where they built a house. The couple spends much of their time visiting their children, who live all over the country.“With that many children, there’s always something going on,” Marilyn said. “We are really blessed with our family and our health.”The couple thinks society’s often negative talk about marriage is completely wrong. They see beauty in what is one of the sacraments of the Catholic Church.“Love is the best part about being married,” Larry said about what makes marriage special.For Marilyn, having someone to share the big and little moments in life is the highlight of being married to her husband. “You want to be together, you don’t really want to be apart,” she said. “Laughter is our gift. My husband keeps me laughing all the time.”When it comes to Valentine’s Day 2015, the Adams know they have the best gift of all — marriage to each other.