The Times Advocate, 2008-02-13, Page 12Crossroads
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Times -Advocate
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Valentine's Day sweethearts celebrate 60th anniversary
By Nina Van Lieshout
TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF
LUCAN — It was 1946, the Saturday
after New Year's Eve during one of St.
Marys' many dances, when Gordon and
Evelyn Johns of Lucan met each other for
the first time.
Looking back at that evening, Gordon,
who was 19 and Evelyn, who was 18
remember it well. Both didn't realize they
would be meeting their lifetime sweet-
heart when Gordon asked Evelyn to
dance that night.
Recalling their first dance, Evelyn says
the song was, "I Only Want A Buddy, Not
A Sweetheart," recorded by Patsy
Montana. Chuckling to herself years
later, while breaking out into song
momentarily, Evelyn smiles, as what she
actually got was a sweetheart.
Gordon also recalls the first dance,
explaining he asked Evelyn to dance
because she was "well dressed," and
Evelyn didn't disappoint. "She was a good
dancer. Better than me," says Gordon.
But initially Gordon was confused. He
danced with Evelyn's sister originally.
And when Gordon asked Evelyn to dance,
she was wearing the same red dress as
her sister was previously.
"That red dress got me confused," says
Gordon, adding, "I'm glad they changed
dresses."
Initially Gordon wanted to take Evelyn
out for a date, but Evelyn held off for
about a month.
"She kept teasing me," says Gordon.
"I wanted to make sure he was seri-
ous," adds Evelyn, but admits when she
first saw Gordon she thought, "I am going
to marry him."
Now, 62 years later, Evelyn, who is 80,
and Gordon who is 82, are celebrating
their 60th wedding anniversary. An
anniversary with an extra touch of sweet-
ness, as the Johns were married on
Valentine's Day in 1948 in St. Marys at
Evelyn's parents' house. It was also a
special day for Clarence
and Beatrice, Gordon's
parents, who were mar-
ried on Valentine's Day in
1923. Gordon and Evelyn
were married on his par-
ents' 25th wedding
Gordon and Evelyn say some keys to a
healthy relationship are, "We always help
each other," says Evelyn, adding that if
there was a disagreement, "We didn't go
to bed with it."
"She kept me well fed and well
dressed," says Gordon. "We've had a
wonderful life together. We never had
much, but we never went without any-
thing either."
And Evelyn agrees, saying Gordon has
always made her feel special, and given
her many thoughtful gifts over the years,
including new diamond rings for
her 75th birthday and a dia-
mond necklace and matching
earrings for her 80th birth-
day.
And every Friday they go to
Greg's Place in Lucan for din-
ner, wearing red, while sup -
anniversary.
Another similarity
between the couples are
the problems they encoun-
tered with the snow.
The senior Johns had trouble getting to
their new home on their wedding day,
while Gordon and Evelyn also encoun-
tered problems due to heavy snow.
porting the veterans.
The Johns have four children:
Larry, Linda Wallis, Alec and Arlene
Latham.
Their 60th Anniversary open house is
Saturday from 2-4:30 p.m at the
Community Bible Church near Lucan.
Food or cash donations are being accept-
ed for charity.
Valentine sweethearts — Gordon, right and Evelyn Johns of Lucan are celebrating
their 60th wedding anniversary tomorrow onValentine's Day. Below right are Gordon
and Evelyn on their wedding day onValentine's Day in 1948. Below left, front from left
are Gordon's parents Beatrice and Clarence Johns, also married onValentine's Day in
1923.The couple celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary the day Evelyn, back left
and Gordon, right, married. (Above photo/Nina Van Lieshout; Below photos/submitted)