This is the story of a couple who renewed their wedding vows after almost 75 years of marriage.
Karl, 94, and Elizabeth Gfatter, 91, were childhood sweethearts who first met in school.
The couple from Poughkeepsie, New York, first got married in 1941 when Karl was 19 and Elizabeth was only 16 years old.
In 2016, after the death of their daughter, the duo moved to the River Valley Care Center, a nursing home in Poughkeepsie.
According to ABC 7 News, when the nursing home staff learned their 75th wedding anniversary was approaching, they decided to throw a surprise party for the love birds – A wedding all over again!
On their special day, Elizabeth wore an all-white ensemble and also wore flowers in her hair.
According to Daily Mail, “The couple’s wedding outfits were accented in pink – Elizabeth’s favorite color.”
“Staff and residents alike. Everyone is so excited to celebrate – a beautiful celebration in general,” Regional Administrator Dan Muskin told ABC 7 News.
Speaking to the News station, the couple said when they got married in 1941, Karl’s father wasn’t confident about the success of their marriage and said he’d pay $100 if their marriage lasted more than a year.
“We eloped because they didn’t want us to get married yet – they said we were too young,” said Elizabeth.
“But we were perfect; everything about us was so great. His father realized within a few weeks that he would lose the bet,” she laughed.
“So, He paid in cash, and our love flourished even more. Karl went off to war, and later we had a daughter.”
The 91-year-old added that the best part about their relationship was Karl’s unconditional love and constant support.
“He just said he loved me, and that’s all that mattered. He never stopped supporting me, and here we are today, celebrating our 75 years of togetherness.”
“Life is great with each other,” Gfatter added. “We had our problems, but we overcame them together, and that’s all that counts. We really love each other, and we have right from the beginning. We’re the happiest two people in the world.”
The couple said they were parents to a loving and caring daughter, Lorelei, but unfortunately, she didn’t live long like her parents and passed away in 2015 at the age of 68.
“There were complications with me, and we couldn’t have any more children,” she told The Poughkeepsie Journal.
“She was a beautiful little girl, and we worshiped her, but unfortunately, she left before us. It really hurts, and we miss her a lot,” added Elizabeth.
According to The Poughkeepsie Journal, “Karl Gfatter spent two years away from home in Europe, serving in the U.S. Army during World War II. The D-Day veteran wrote to his bride every day.”
“They (letters) wouldn’t come for a while, but then I’d get a whole bunch, dozens,” Elizabeth said. “And I’d write to him every day. I tried very hard to keep good news.”
Speaking to the outlet, Karl said when he returned from war, the only thing he wanted to see was Elizabeth’s smile, and he got one as soon as he saw her.
“Everything became roses,” he said. “We were so happy to see each other.”
When the staff and administrative members of River Valley Care Center asked for the couple’s advice for a long-lasting and happy marriage, they said,
“Love and honesty…and be good to each other.”
Thoughts on Karl and Elizabeth’s relationship? Let us know in the comments.
Sources: Daily Mail – ABC 7 News – The Poughkeepsie Journal
