Meet Arthur, 91, and Ruby, 89, Lawrence of Wake Forest, NC (they relocated to Rhode Island where they currently reside.) They married at the ages of 16 and 18 and are the parents of 9 children. They’ve left their mark on history by starting a church, establishing a scholarship fund, and having a North Carolina community center named in their honor. Three years ago, President Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama sent them a letter in celebration of their 70th anniversary.
Recently, the two interviewed with Delisha Easley of the Black Love Forum to share their experience and offer advice to young couples. They say that the key to making it last is being friends first and observing other couples. They site friendship as the foundation of their relationship.
Ruby, who says divorce never crossed her mind, says that she learned from other marriages and wanted better for hers while Arthur says his parents set a great example of how a marriage should be.
When Easley asked what advice they would give to newly married couples, Ruby’s replied:
“I really don’t know what to give these kind of people (she says jokingly) because some of them don’t really understand how a marriage is suppose to be. How it’s suppose to be. You’re supposed to love one another and do the best you can no matter what happens you’re suppose to keep your love for your husband or wife. I don’t care what they’ve done or do you have to always forgive them. You don’t forget but you have to forgive. You never forget nothing I don’t care what it is. You will always think about it forever but you have to forgive or you want be forgiven.”
Read the full interview on the Black Love Forum’s website.
BMWK – Do you agree with Arthur and Ruby’s advice? What’s the best advice that an older couple has given you?