A serious exchange

Danette Goulet

They grinned like newlyweds, cracked jokes and professed their years

of devotion to each other.

After more than five decades together, the couples were eager to

commit to another 50 years as they renewed their wedding vows Thursday on

the Heritage Stage at the Orange County Fair.

“We went to grade school together,” said Rita Reh, who married her

school sweetheart, Bruno, 53 years ago when they were both 21.

“I’ve been married all my life,” said Bruno Reh of Costa Mesa. “I’ve

known her all my life and then some.”

Carmen and Joseph Aguilar of Huntington Beach were also high school

sweethearts 50 years ago in Madera, Calif.

As employees of the fair for 11 years, these two have watched the

ceremony for years and just became eligible to participate last month,

when they celebrated their 50th anniversary.

Some of the couples have long met the minimum requirement.

It was with unfettered excitement that Lorraine and Bill Keeler of

Costa Mesa celebrated their 60th anniversary by renewing their vows

Thursday.

“July 26, 1941 -- before World War II started,” she announced as her

wedding date.

The two met when he was 19, and she was 14.

“I robbed the cradle,” he said. “We went together for four years

before we got married. She kept lying to me about her age.”

“I was tall, and I kept saying I was 16,” she agreed.

“Took her forever to be 18,” he added.

“Finally we couldn’t wait any longer,” she finished.

Even at 60 years, the Keelers did not make the cut as the couple

married the longest.

Myrtle and Forrest Almquist have been married for 64 years and hope to

still be renewing their vows at the fair by their 70th year together.

Their key to success?

“I take her dancing four or five nights a week,” he said.

“I made a lot of deals in my life, but this was the best deal I ever

made,” he added.

BOX

LEARNING FROM SUCCESS

Keys to a successful marriage from couples of more than 50 years.

“Do what your wife says,” said Bill Keeler, married to wife Lorraine

for 60 years.

“I know this won’t be popular, but the husband should be the boss,”

said Tina Marie Ferrari, married to Ceasare Ferrari for 51 years. His

answer: “Love and patience.”

“Love and scotch,” said Bruno Reh, with a chuckle -- married to wife

Rita for 53 years.

“A sense of humor and a short memory,” said Darlene Williams, married

to David Williams for 51 years.

“When we were married, no one thought it would last, so we’re still

trying to prove them wrong,” said LeRoy Johnson, of his marriage to

Luella Johnson.

“Lots of kids and grandkids to make us behave,” said Betty Dyk of her

50 years with Dick Dyk.