As a senior in high school, Sonja Rees developed a crush on Larry, a Ball State student three years older than her and a member of her church.
"I had seen Larry around church, and let me tell you, he always looked nice," Sonja said. "He always wore a suit and tie and everything."
Sonja summoned the courage to call Larry and ask him on a date to a youth group hayride. At the time, Sonja did not expect the nervous phone call to lead to the relationship they have today. After 48 years of marriage, Sonja and Larry have learned a thing or two about making a relationship last.
Although the couple has had their ups and downs, they said their relationship has lasted so long because they discovered how to talk out problems and difficulties in the relationship. Despite some struggles, divorce was never an option for Mr. and Mrs. Rees.
"Young people think, ‘If I get married and it doesn't work, I'll just get divorced,'" Larry said. "When you commit to someone, it's supposed to be ‘til death do us part.'"
According to the Census Bureau, Americans' views about marriage have shifted over time. Today, Americans are less likely to marry, and 50 percent of first marriages, 67 percent of second and 74 percent of third marriages end in divorce or separation.
Sophomore English major Kat Corbin said she thinks marriage ends in divorce so often because of unrealistic expectations.
"We are really idealistic about love," Corbin said. "A lot of it comes from what we see on TV. Today it's like, ‘Oh, we had a fight, so that means we need to break up.'"
Sonja's most important piece of advice to single students is not to settle for someone who is incompatible. She said that things like political views, educational background and religious beliefs play a huge role in long-term relationships.
"Don't take the first fish in the sea," Sonja said. "Ask yourself in your head, ‘Is this person acting the way I really want my future partner to act?' or do you really have anything in common?"
Larry said singles need to learn to look at people as they are instead of how they could be.
"Girls get bored and pick up some loser they try to reform," he said. "It doesn't work."
Larry and Sonja said being overly controlling isn't good for a relationship.
"Your only job in life is to be true to yourself and to work on things that are within your control," Sonja said. "You can't change anyone else's personality or situation. You can't change the weather. Only worry about the things that you can change within yourself."
Today, the couple remains active within the Muncie community. Sonja's company The Magic Theater Box offers acting classes, and they work with theater and telecommunication students on various projects.
Living in a modest home not far from Ball State's campus, their home is full of pictures of family members, including a wall in their living room dedicated to pictures of their grandchildren.
"People think monetary things will make you happy," Larry said. "We love people, family and God. We've never had a lot of money, but we have always had love for each other. We are people people. If we know you, expect a hug."
To Sonja and Larry, Valentine's Day is simply about love, be it romantic or otherwise.
"To me, every day is Valentine's Day because every day is about love," Sonja said. "Not just love for your spouse, but love for the people in your life. That's what life is about."
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