Happy Together
Couples share secrets to a successful marriage
WORDS : LEAH R . SINGER PHOTOGRAPHY : AUSTEN LEAKE
W hen it comes to marriage , milestone anniversaries are often seen as the definition of a successful relationship . But the secret to a happy , long-term relationship is not longevity . What makes a couple truly happy comes from foundational aspects of their lives together , which can be found in couples who were high school sweethearts and in those that found each other through second marriages . These three Wabash Valley couples have very different backgrounds and relationships , yet they share a commonality : after three decades ( and more ), they are truly happy together .
Betsy & Dick Frank : Embracing differences , supporting one another
Betsy and Dick Frank met at a student mixer at Ohio State University in 1966 . While they both enjoyed meeting each other , they did not start dating until later that year when Dick found himself cleaning his desk and came across a scrap of paper with Betsy ’ s phone number on it . He gave her a call and the rest is history : the two married on March 8 , 1969 . Both Betsy and Dick agree what ’ s helped their marriage stay strong for 53 years is having separate interests and supporting each other in their own endeavors .
“ You have to maintain your own person ,” Betsy said . “ We don ’ t do everything together , but we ’ ve always supported each other in our careers and pursuits .”
After marrying , the Franks moved to Seattle and Dick worked for Boeing while Betsy pursued her master ’ s degree in nursing . A little over a year
42 Terre Haute Living • March 2022