For hopeless romantics the dream is to grow old with your significant other for years and years to come. For a local couple, Reg and Edna Munro, their story showcases just this.
The couple is celebrating one of their biggest milestones yet. Seventy years of love and understanding. Seventy years of laughter and hardships. Seventy years of you're getting on my last nerve.
Both born and raised in the Springbank area, Reg and Edna began their love story as friends who shared the same school. Edna's school burned down so she began going to Reg's school. The couple recall meeting when they were just in Grade 7. Little did they know that many moons later they would be celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary together.
The pair say their wedding day, November 23, 1949 was a beautiful day. There was no snow and it wasn't cold, that soon followed in January. Reg explained that for one short moment his feet got pretty darn cold.
"When we went out the gate, my cousin (who) was my best man, we drove out the road and the church was east and we got to the road and I said 'maybe we should go west,'" said a laughing Reg. "Well ya have doubts, ya know."
When I asked Edna if she had any doubts she chuckled and said "Well probably."
In their earlier years, Reg and Edna lived on his father's farm just beside the Springbank Airport. Reg considered himself a rancher having a mixed farm which included grain, dairy cattle and beef cattle. The couple raised two children together, Diane and Dean. They were happy to share that they have 10 great grandchildren and their once small family of two has now grown to 25.
In 1966 Reg and Edna purchased a farm and moved 12 miles north of Cochrane on Highway 22. It is here would they would remain for 51 years until last year when they decided to call Big Hill Lodge, home. Reg still frequents the farm every now and then when the weather is good while Edna stays back and carries on with her finger knitting. A hobby she just adopted.
The couple have been enjoying their time at the Big Hill Lodge. Edna explained when she was getting ready for her anniversary party, which their family held on Aug. 24. outside of Cochrane, staff from the lodge called and asked if she needed any help. "Can you imagine that," explained Edna. "They're so good and Sandra (Big Hill Lodge manager) is so thoughtful, she is, I don't know how she does it all."
A spectacular recognition the couple received for their 70 years together was a letter from Queen Elizabeth II.
It reads: "I am delighted to hear that you are celebrating the seventieth anniversary of your wedding and send you my warmest congratulations and good wishes on this splendid occasion."
Daughter Diane describes her parents as hardworking, honest individuals with a good sense of humour.
"They've been together a long time and they truly love each other," she expressed.
One thing Diane wishes for her parents is good health, contentment with all that they have accomplished in life and for them to know that they are loved by many, many people.
Congratulations to the lovebirds, Reg and Edna Munro.
