In honor of Valentine’s Day coming up next Monday, this is a nice reminder that life-long married love is still possible, despite what our culture tells us:

Worldwide Marriage Encounter has announced that Marshall and Winnie Kuykendall of Lordsburg, New Mexico, are the national winners of its “Longest Married Couple” contest. The couple will celebrate their 82nd wedding anniversary on February 14, 2011.

Scott and Karen Seaborn, who serve as the United States Ecclesial Team for Worldwide Marriage Encounter, expressed their congratulations to the couple on Feb. 7, concluding the nationwide search that drew more than 300 total applicants, including nominees from every U.S. state.

“What a privilege and honor it is to recognize the Kuykendalls for their commitment to marriage,” they reflected. “They made a commitment to each other 82 years ago, and they have kept that commitment over these many years. They truly are a sign of hope to us all.”

Read more and see related TOB Tues post: Faithfulness Forever