What is love? What does it mean in your lives? These were the questions that The Romeo Observer asked Martha and Harvey Hebblewhite for the Valentine's Day issue in 1985.
Reporter Mary Kay Bean inquired kids at the Hamilton-Parsons Elementary School as well as older people whom she met at an American Association of Retired Persons meeting at the Romeo Community Center. Their responses were included in the February 13th edition.
One of the answers came from the Hebblewhites, who have been married for 50 years at that point. Martha said, "I think we're still in love...I think we're really very lucky that we have (been together for so many years), and we've always gotten along very well."
Harvey jokingly added, "We haven't broken many dishes."
To which Martha replied in kind, "Or I haven't thrown very many."
The article, "Love: What does it mean to you?" provided the backstory regarding their romance. Martha and Harvey began dating between junior and senior years at Armada High School, from which they graduated in 1932. They got married on November 24, 1934 in Dearborn. They would have four children.
The early years of their relationship were during the Great Depression when they had little money to spent on things like entertainment. About that time, Martha recounted, "Even if we didn't have much money, we had a lot of fun."
When asked if they could imagine life without love, Martha responded, "No, I can't - I just can't."
The last thing that Martha added was this: "I think we're just as much in love or maybe more."
By looking at the photo taken by Karen Hamilton for the story, it's very clear that Martha and Harvey Hebblewhite were still very much in love.
In fact, love kept them together until they passed away about two weeks apart in August 1996.
What does love mean to you? Share your thoughts with the Romeo Community Archives.
To learn more about the Hebblewhites' love story, you can contact the Romeo Community Archives at rca@romemodistrictlibrary.org or call (586) 690-4890.
Images and sources courtesy of the Romeo Community Archives; Melvin E. and Joan D. Bleich Collection, The Romeo Observer, February 13, 1985, p.1-B; August 21, 1996, p.2-A; and September 11, 1996, p.2-A