A Wisconsin couple who fell in love as teenagers recently celebrated 76 years of wedded bliss by renewing their vows.
The minute Faye and Dewey Bartel laid eyes on each other as teenagers in 1945, they knew they would be together forever.
“That was it. It was love at first sight for both of us,” Faye said. “He went in the house, and he said, ‘Mom, I’m going to marry that girl.’ She said, ‘Junior, you have a long life ahead of you, and you will meet many, many girls through school.’ He said, ‘Nope, that’s it. I know I’m going to marry her.’”
Four years later, the couple were married on Sept. 17 and soon welcomed three children. Faye says no matter what, they always made time for each other, whether it was laughing, ballroom dancing or going away on vacation.
“We’ve just been together. We’ve moved many places, but we were always together,” Faye said.
Dewey moved into Country Terrace, an assisted living facility in Minocqua, for full-time care two years ago, but Faye makes sure she’s never too far away from him.
“I always come to play bingo with him. I help him with his card,” she said.
Dewey and Faye celebrated their 76th anniversary on Wednesday with a vow renewal ceremony at Country Terrace. The festivities also included carrot cake and a round of bingo.
“It’s been a wonderful marriage. I just wish everybody could have that kind of marriage,” Faye said.
After seven decades of marriage, the couple have one piece of advice:
“Just be good to one other,” Faye said. “That’s the main thing. Don’t argue anything.”
The couple say they are proud of the longevity of their marriage.