Love Is In The Air As Couples Married 50 Years Or More Renew Vows On LI
PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Just in time for Valentine's Day, dozens of couples who found each other many decades ago renewed their vows on Thursday.
As CBS2's Dick Brennan reported, 50 couples married for more than 50 years said "I do" all over again inside the Harbor Links Catering Hall in Port Washington.
It was kisses all around for the true veterans of matrimony, including the king and queen of wedded longevity, Ruth and Larry Shifman. The couple cut their first wedding cake 74 years ago, after meeting at a Valentine's Day party.
"The first thing he says is 'Gee, I like you very much; could I take you home,'" Ruth said. "I said 'Wait a minute, we just walked in, let's see what other type of people are here.'"
And the rest is history for the Shifmans.
Of course, the question these inspiring couples are always asked is: how did you meet?
"We met at a Polish dance," said Sandra Pustarfi.
The Pustarfis are celebrating 55 years of wedded bliss. Sandra still recalls when her husband tried to kiss her on their first date.
"I felt something on my cheek. With that, I waved my right hand and I ended up slapping him on the face. So after that he didn't try kissing me again," she said.
Before moving to Long Island, many of the couples first found each other in New York City.
"We lived around the corner from one another in Brooklyn," said Rose Cipolla.
The Cipollas took the plunge 62 years ago. Charles said it was love at first sight.
"I robbed the cradle; look at her, she's still a beauty!" he said.
All of the couples said repeating their vows proves that if they could go back, they'd do it all over again in the name of everlasting love.
