HURON — Love. Sometimes, that is all it takes for a long and happy marriage. For Keith and Marita Montgomery, it was clear from the first time the couple locked eyes, and this Valentine’s Day marks 67 years since the day they said “I do.”
Keith explained the first time he ever saw Marita, she was out for an afternoon stroll and he thought, “I’m going to marry her.”
“He looked at me, then I looked at him and that was it. Happily ever after,” Marita smiled.
Tonight, as Keith and Marita do each  year on Feb. 14, they will gather with family to celebrate their wedding anniversary.
The annual celebration is tradition, as is the date they were married.

Marita explained that her parents were married on Valentine’s Day in 1917. With that example of love and partnership, the pair decided that following that example would make it the perfect day.
In 1952 - on Valentine’s Day - Keith and Marita were married at St. Martin’s Catholic Church of Huron, which is no longer standing.
But while the structure where they exchanged their vows is gone, the story which had its start there has withstood the test of time.
When asked what their secret is after so many years of marriage, the Montgomerys responded simply that there is no secret, “it’s love for each other. It’s always been that way throughout the years.”
Any relationship may see its ups and downs. It can be seen as rare in 2019 for a marriage to stay strong and true as traditions have changed over the decades, but it’s not impossible.
After 67 years of devotion, the Montgomery couple shared a few words of wisdom to work toward a long-lasting partnership.
Don’t let the little things get in the way of a happy relationship. Give it a chance. No relationship can always be perfect.
A final note of advice from Keith is “to be sure.”
“It’s not easy,” Marita responded, to which Keith answered, “But we did it.”