‘And I think he was putting the moves on me, too’

Whether you’ve been together for one year or 56 years, love proves to be the most important thing in a relationship.

Beth Penney

Kicker

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, Tom and Florence Greene reflected on 56 years of memories.

The couple met while Tom was working at Ches’s Fish & Chips. Florence would go there for lunch while attending Holy Heart High School.

“I just loved him,” said Florence. “He had foxy red hair. I think that’s what attracted me to him first. And I think he was putting the moves on me, too.”

Their first date was spent on the old track line in Mount Pearl at a wiener roast. Back then, they spent most of their time roller skating at the stadium or going to a 25-cent movie.

The couple still shares many activities, like the weekly swim class they attend. Just two years ago they took on a project to re-paint rooms in the home they built together.

“We had VOWR on, they play music from the 50’s,” said Florence. “Our favourite Kenny Rogers song came on, While the Feeling’s Good, so we put down our paint brushes and started dancing together.”

Tom and Florence Greene have been together for 56 years. Here they hold a photo of the day they paid off their mortgage. Beth Penney/Kicker

Katelyn Collins and Nathan Sears have been dating for a year and a half, and met in a way that many millennials do – in a bar.

“I approached her at Levels nightclub,” said Sears “Somehow I got her number, but she denied the first date. Eventually she gave in, and agreed to go on a hike with me.”

Both couples do have one thing in common – the first time they spoke was in person.

With the overwhelming amount of dating websites and apps, speaking in person for the first time is becoming a thing of the past.

“Our favourite Kenny Rogers song came on, While the Feeling’s Good, so we put down our paint brushes and started dancing together.”

Despite the 50-year age gap between them, both couples met the traditional way and not online something that is uncommon nowadays. According to a study by the University of Chicago, over one-third of U.S. relationships start with online dating.

“To me, it doesn’t feel like the right way to start a relationship,” said Collins, referring to Tinder. “It’s always seemed like more of a hookup site.”

Both Florence and Tom agree they would like to see dating be treated the old-fashioned way. They feel as though the younger generations don’t share the same values as they did years ago.

Out of respect for their parents, said Tom, there was no such thing as having a date sleepover back then.

“I had to be home by 10:30 p.m.,” said Florence “And I always was, because I knew I wouldn’t be allowed out to see Tom the following night if I was late.”

Although dating is certainly different than it was 50 years ago, both couples prove that no matter how you meet, true love conquers all.