New Jersey couple in their 90s reflects on 73 years of marriage this Valentine’s Day
“We made a rule with ourselves to never go to bed angry at each other,” Joan said. “If we had any kind of indifference or a problem or something, we would always continue to speak with each other.”
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This Valentine’s Day, a New Jersey couple in their 90s is reflecting on more than seven decades of marriage and the simple moments that have sustained their relationship.
Eugene and Joan Nowicki, residents of Brookdale Florham Park, have been married for 73 years. Eugene is 95, and Joan is 93.
“I would call it our first love and everlasting love. Because here we are together in our 90s,” Joan said.
The couple met when they were 20 and 19 at a dance in Passaic, New Jersey. Soon after, Eugene was drafted to serve in Korea, and they moved up their wedding date before his deployment. They went on two honeymoons — one before he left and one when he returned.
“We wrote letters every day to each other,” Joan said. “She wrote more than I did,” Eugene joked. “Oh, I guess I wrote a little more than him, maybe two a day,” she said, laughing.
Their letters grew into a life together that included three children, seven grandchildren and decades of memories. They both agreed they loved to travel.
The couple said communication has been the key to their lasting marriage.
“We made a rule with ourselves to never go to bed angry at each other,” Joan said. “If we had any kind of indifference or a problem or something, we would always continue to speak with each other.”
As for advice for the next generation, Joan kept it simple: “Be happy together, and do things together, and respect each other. You have to do that.”
