An elderly couple has finally been able to fulfill their dream of having a wedding in a Church after they were banned from doing so some 70 years ago. Edward and Lena Gouin had always hoped to get married in the sanctuary of a Church, but as people of different faiths, it was forbidden at the time.
Edward was a Catholic and Lena was a Congregationalist, so their request for an interfaith wedding at Edward’s church was denied. Wanting to marry as close to a Church as they could, the couple tied to the knot in the Church rectory instead. For the next 70 years, Edward and Lena enjoyed a happy and fulfilling marriage.
“We love one another today I think as much as we did as way back,” Ed Gouin said, as reported by WCVB5.
“Oh I think so,” Lena Gouin replied.
“We’ve had numerous illnesses, but we’re doing pretty good,” Lena said, as reported by Liftable. “We have three children who are there for us every day.” The faithful couple they have been blessed with three children, eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. So what is the secret to such a long and blissful marriage?
“If we got in an argument, we never went to bed mad,” WWII veteran Edward said. “I don’t go out the door without giving her a kiss.” He added: “One great thing, when we were first married, we promised the priest we would never argue about religion and never did in 70 years. It’s also because of her — she has the best attitude in life.”
“It’s been good. It’s been fun,” Lena said of her marriage to Edward. “If I had to make a choice, again, he’d be the one.” She added: “Like any married couple, there are things you have to take and things you might not like all the time, but it all works out in the end.”
But there was one thing missing – the couple still wanted to tie the knot in a Church sanctuary. Well, finally, their dream came true. Edward, now 90, and Lena, now 8, renewed their vows at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Uxbridge, Mass.
“Today, it can happen,” Edward said about their church ceremony. “It’s going to be our wedding. My kids are making it special.”
The day was made even more incredible with the participation of the couple’s kids and grandchildren. Their only daughter walked Lena down the aisle and Edward’s brother and sons served as the best men.
“We’ve had a good life,” Lena said of the couple’s long and happy marriage.
“We’re very fortunate to have every one of our kids healthy and good,” Ed added. “And we’re not too bad for our age either.”
But what is the true secret to staying together for 70 years? “I don’t wear my hearing aid,” Lena joked. What about Ed? “Having a good wife,” he said.
We wish this sweet couple the very best for the future.