The story of how Joe and Margaret Garvin met is all American.
The sweethearts went to Rochelle High School, in Lakeland. He was a football and basketball player. She was a cheerleader.
Little did they know that 60 years later, they would still be together, married, with four daughters and 10 grandchildren. In January, the couple will be throwing a big bash at Buddy Freddy’s for more than 100 friends and family members to celebrate their anniversary.
“We just always wanted to have a celebration to invite friends and family,” Joe says. “We always go out of our way to be all-inclusive.”
The couple sits in their cozy house off a private road in Bealsville. Cows graze on their plot of land. The living room is warmly decorated for Christmas. Pictures dot the walls, reminding the duo of the happy life they have created together. Joe believes in pictures. He didn’t have many growing up.
“He’s my friend and lover,” Margaret says. “He’s my best friend.”
Margaret always had noticed Joe. Her brother played football with Joe. She decided to ask her brother about him.
The two started talking. Joe became enamored with Margaret, as well — so much so that he wanted to marry her out of high school.
“She’s very caring, easy-going, a great personality, unique, kind, gentle,” Joe says. “I probably missed out on so many adjectives to describe her.”
Joe worked a job before and after high school classes. He managed to save up $90. This was the money he was going to use to start a life with his songbird, Margaret.
He put $30 down on a Washington Park apartment. Then, he put $30 down on three rooms of furniture. The remaining $30 would sustain their basic needs while they got set up.
The 19-year-olds were married on Jan. 7, 1954, at a courthouse in Bartow. It only cost $7.
At their 50th anniversary, the couple threw a similar celebration at Barnhill’s, in Lakeland. She told the crowd the story.
“He only paid $7 for me,” Margaret says. “I was excited about the first one, because I had so many jokes.”
The couple has kept a sense of humor throughout the relationship. During their 50th celebration, the couple cut their cake much like newlyweds at a wedding. Joe fed a piece to Margaret. When Margaret went to do the same, she smashed it on his nose.
In addition to humor, the couple has a few more pieces of advice from their successful relationship. Their faith always has been the center of their lives. Both have a history of volunteering and charity work with the various churches they have attended over the years.
Communication is another big factor.
“It’s about understanding each other,” Joe says. “I guess that’s part of our legacy — resolving problems.”
The couple often tabled disagreements to talk about them later. They also would make a list every Christmas about the goals for the new year and reflections from the past year.
“We tell young people, ‘You don’t have to have your way all the time,’” Margaret says. “It’s a two-way street.”
With a long-lasting relationship comes change — another mountain to climb.
“I learned new things about her,” Joes says. “I’m just grateful to have the opportunity to be married to one person for life.”
In 60 years, the couple has done many things. They love to travel. Margaret was scared to ride a plane to New York City for their first trip. But, Joe encouraged her. That opened the door to explore the world. Together, they visited the Holy Land. Margaret was baptized in the Jordan River. They did a tour in Europe, took an Amtrak with a group around the United States and sailed the Caribbean.
But, no matter where they’ve gone, the two still have each other.
“Things just worked out so well for us,” Joe says.
Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.