Back in 1935, Maury and Helen Goosenberg faced a lot of opposition for their young love, including disapproval from their families. No one at that time thought their relationship would last.
Eighty years after they got married, the lovers are still disproving their sceptics. In fact, the Goosenberg couple is being recognised this month for having one of the most enduring marriages in the United States.
"Everyone told us it wouldn't last. Now there's no one left alive for me to say 'See? I told you so,' " Maury, now 102 years old, told The San Diego Union Tribune.
Their lasting relationship started in the most unlikely occasion: a Halloween party in their home city, Philadelphia, way back in 1931. Helen, now 100 years old, recalled being smitten by Maury's good looks right off the bat.
"He had a smile that knocked me over," she said.
Maury had the same feelings about Helen during their first encounter."I thought ... well, there's a beauty," he shared.
Their love story, however, did not begin right there and then. Maury was linked to several girls at that time, and Helen's family perceived him as a womaniser.
Maury nevertheless found out that Helen was the type of girl he wanted to settle down with. "What I learned is that she was a solid person and she was beautiful in both looks and attitude," he said.
One of the first challenges their relationship faced was the Great Depression. Maury struggled to get a job to support his wife. Eventually, he was able to work as a truck driver, while Helen got an office job.
Having secured jobs, Helen convinced Maury to elope. They eventually tied the knot at a Maryland courthouse, at age 20 and 22, respectively.
The two remain inseparable eight decades later. Their secret? "We just appreciate each other," Helen said.
Maury, for his part, said he still falls in love with his wife every single day. "She's the same outstanding individual she was when I was first attracted to her," he said.
