Connecticut Couple Honored as 'Longest Married' in U.S.

By Lauren Sher | ABC News Blogs

Connecticut Couple Honored as 'Longest Married' in U.S. (ABC
News)

A Connecticut couple who tied the knot over 80 years

ago will be named the longest married couple in the
U.S.
John and Ann Betar of Fairfield, Conn., said "I do" on
Nov. 25, 1932, and have been happily married for 80
years. Together they have five children, 14
grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
The couple was selected for the 2013 award by Worldwide Marriage Encounter, a Christian marriage enrichment
group based in San Bernardino, Calif., that organizes a search each year to promote the virtues of lasting marriages
and inspire young couples.
"What an inspiration Mr. and Mrs. Betar are to all of us. They made a commitment to each other 80-plus years ago
and they have kept that commitment over these many years. They truly are a sign of hope to us all," Worldwide
Marriage Encounter's Ron and Judy Pekny said in a statement.
According to the couple, what
An award ceremony will take place on Saturday at the Fairfield,
are their secrets to a healthy
Conn., home of one of the Betars' granddaughters, Heather Mitchell.
marriage?
1.)
Before their 80th wedding anniversary in November, John and Ann
Betar told ABC News that they considered themselves "blessed."
2.)
3.)
"We are very fortunate. It can be repeated and repeated," Ann, 97,
4.)
said at the time. "It is unconditional love and understanding. We
have had that. We consider it a blessing."
Though the couple is hesitant to give out marriage advice, their secret to so many happy years together is simple:
compromise and don't hold a grudge.
John, 101, met Ann, now 97, while growing up in the same Syrian
community in Bridgeport, Conn. Breaking with tradition, Ann defied
parents when they set up an arranged marriage for her. She ran off to
Harrison, N.Y. to elope with John. Now, she says she knows she
made the right choice.

According to one of
the couples
granddaughters, what
other characteristics
do they have?
1.)
2.)
3.)
4.)
5.)

Identify one similarity that this

couple has with Romeo and
Juliet.

her

The Betars said they delight in the

newer generations of their family, and their descendants return the compliment.
"I'm always blown away by their incredible optimism, deep sense of compassion and
modesty," granddaughter Heather Mitchell said before their anniversary. "They are
true beacons - inspirational people who emit such joy without even knowing it."
The Betars were chosen out of hundreds of couples nominated during the project's
submission period, which ran from October of last year to January. There may be
other couples who have been married longer in the U.S., but none was formally
nominated, according to the group.

What impact do the Betars have on your ideas for your perfect
mate? Does it impact what you think is important or not important?
Why?

Perfect Mate
Romeo & Juliet Unit
Name:___________________________
English 1B
Hour:______

PERFECT MATE: STUDENT FORM

List the traits of YOUR PERFECT MATE.
Be specific including physical, personality, ability,
and value characteristics.

List the traits that YOUR PARENT/GUARDIAN

would be looking for in a PERFECT MATE FOR
YOU. Be specific including physical, personality,
ability, and value characteristics.

1.)_______________________________________

1.)_______________________________________

2.)_______________________________________

2.)_______________________________________

3.)_______________________________________

3.)_______________________________________

4.)_______________________________________

4.)_______________________________________

5.)_______________________________________

5.)_______________________________________

6.)_______________________________________

6.)_______________________________________

7.)_______________________________________

7.)_______________________________________

8.)_______________________________________

8.)_______________________________________

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9.)_______________________________________

10.)______________________________________

10.)______________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

PERFECT MATE: PARENT/GUARDIAN FORM

Parents & Guardians,
Please list the traits of the PERFECT MATE
for you son/daughter/student. Be
specific including physical, personality,
ability, and value characteristics.

8.)_______________________________________
9.)_______________________________________
10.)______________________________________

1.)_______________________________________

Now please select the traits you consider to be

most important.

2.)_______________________________________

1.)_______________________________________

3.)_______________________________________

2.)_______________________________________

4.)_______________________________________

3.)_______________________________________

5.)_______________________________________

4.)_______________________________________

6.)_______________________________________

Thank you for your support and participation! This

activity is in association with Valentines Day and our
study of Shakespeares Romeo & Juliet.

7.)_______________________________________