A Lancaster County couple is celebrating a big anniversary: 80 years of marriage.”I call her the angel of glad tidings and great joy,” Vernon Stinebaugh said.”He’s been an anchor, a real anchor,” Angela Stinebaugh said. At 103 years old, the Stinebaughs still share the spark that brought them together. “Memory has been a very fortunate thing. I can reminisce,” Vernon said.It all started at Manchester College in Indiana, when Angela spotted Vernon in the stairwell of the music department. “I was really taken, Angela said.”She didn’t say which way,” Vernon said.”I was really impressed,” Angela said.Vernon asked Angela on a date.”She gave me a smile I didn’t forget,” Vernon said. And the rest is history. “One year at a time. That’s how it happened,” Angela said.After the wedding, Angela moved to Pennsylvania to be a teacher. Once Vernon finished school in Indiana, he followed.While their love kept them devoted, music brought them even closer. “It was a nice addition. A nice complement,” Angela said.With Vernon on the violin and Angela on the piano, the couple performed 123 concerts over the years. “That’s a lot of programs,” Vernon said.But the achievement they are most proud of is the family they’ve built. “Two daughters, three grandsons and five great-grandchildren,” Angela said.It wasn’t always easy.”We’ve been through all kinds of up and downs,” Vernon said.”Yes, we have,” Angela said.But they’ve always prevailed.”We’re learning a lot at this age. Learning every day is so important,” Vernon said.And after 80 years, they say they’ve learned the secret to a love that lasts.”Be adaptable to life in whatever circumstance,” Angela said.”I don’t need to say more than, ‘Amen to that,'” Vernon said.
A Lancaster County couple is celebrating a big anniversary: 80 years of marriage.
“I call her the angel of glad tidings and great joy,” Vernon Stinebaugh said.
“He’s been an anchor, a real anchor,” Angela Stinebaugh said.
At 103 years old, the Stinebaughs still share the spark that brought them together.
“Memory has been a very fortunate thing. I can reminisce,” Vernon said.
It all started at Manchester College in Indiana, when Angela spotted Vernon in the stairwell of the music department.
“I was really taken, Angela said.
“She didn’t say which way,” Vernon said.
“I was really impressed,” Angela said.
Vernon asked Angela on a date.
“She gave me a smile I didn’t forget,” Vernon said.
And the rest is history.
“One year at a time. That’s how it happened,” Angela said.
After the wedding, Angela moved to Pennsylvania to be a teacher. Once Vernon finished school in Indiana, he followed.
While their love kept them devoted, music brought them even closer.
“It was a nice addition. A nice complement,” Angela said.
With Vernon on the violin and Angela on the piano, the couple performed 123 concerts over the years.
“That’s a lot of programs,” Vernon said.
But the achievement they are most proud of is the family they’ve built.
“Two daughters, three grandsons and five great-grandchildren,” Angela said.
It wasn’t always easy.
“We’ve been through all kinds of up and downs,” Vernon said.
“Yes, we have,” Angela said.
But they’ve always prevailed.
“We’re learning a lot at this age. Learning every day is so important,” Vernon said.
And after 80 years, they say they’ve learned the secret to a love that lasts.
“Be adaptable to life in whatever circumstance,” Angela said.
“I don’t need to say more than, ‘Amen to that,'” Vernon said.
