Margaret, 96, and Kenneth (Ken), 97, Williams, and Esther, 82, and William (Bill), 84, Goodchild have a combined 147 years of marriage — the Williams will celebrate their 75th anniversary in May and the Goodchilds will mark 60 years in October.

If you ask Margaret there is no secret to her marital success or any martial success. It’s simple.

“Stay in love with each other [because] you mean so much to each other,” she said.

Margaret and Ken had known each other for years. They went to school together — Ken was two years ahead of Maragaret – but their love story officially started in 1949. That was the year of their first date which took place at Whinnery’s Barn on Guilford Lake in Lisbon. Ken said he was with the American Legion and in charge of the dances. He invited Margaret to go. She accepted Ken’s offer and they went square dancing. They went every weekend after that.

Bill and Esther Goodchild will celebrate 62 years of marriage this year. They currently reside at Brookdale Senior Living in Salem. (Photo courtesy of Brookedale Senior Living)

Just one week shy of what was described as “their one year courtship,” Ken presented Margaret with another offer — a ring and marriage proposal. They exchanged vows on May 21, 1950.

A quarter of a century later, Margaret said the decision was easy.

“You just know,” she said.

Esther and William’s romance was even more whirlwind. They met on April 5, 1963 and married just six months later.

Their initial meeting was at a nightclub. Bill, just out of the Marines, was talked into going out on the town by two friends. Esther was also out with friends. They met and Bill was smitten.

Much like Margaret was sure Ken was her soulmate, Bill instantly fell in love with Etsher.

“I knew that night,” Bill said, telling his buddies he found the girl he was going to spend the rest of his life with.

Bill won Esther over pretty quickly too. Her father, however, was going to be a different story. According to Esther, her dad “wouldn’t care for her having a fellow come calling.” Bill had a plan. He showed up at her house in his full Marine uniform. Her dad and Bill talked and the couple said “the rest was history.”

They were married on Oct. 4, 1963. Over six decades later, they say the key to their longevity has been mutual respect, trust and the willingness to forget. Their advice to young couples: do not stay mad, do things together but do things separately and keep your own interests.

The Goodchilds followed their own advice. After retirement, they “traveled everywhere together for 20 years, spending a “ton of time out west.” They worked at a bakery together, riding bikes to work at the bakery two mornings a week. He was a Scoutmaster for 60 years. She was a Campfire leader and 4H leader and they “always helped each other.”

Esther and Bill respected each other as a couple but also respected each other as individuals.

They always took vacations together with the family and then they also vacationed separately. Esther rode horses and Bill hunted.

The Williams too built a life of love and respect together and a family. They say they are “very proud of their children and grandchildren” and both have a strong faith in God. They always attended church where they stayed active.

The Willams said they are “happy to still be together,” and count “thanking God” as one of the most important things in their lives and their marriage.

Both couples reside at Brookdale — a local senior living community in Salem. Jackie Dickson, Brookdale’s Communications Manager, said both couples should be commended for their lasting love and finding their forever Valentines.

“In a world of dating apps and reality dating shows, there’s timeless love stories of residents at Brookdale which deserve to be celebrated,” Dickson said.