What’s the “secret” for a long, happy marriage? Is there a specific recipe, or perhaps merely an outline for happiness? At a time when obtaining a divorce is nearly as simple as ordering pizza, how have couples managed to stay together for 40, 50 or 60 years or more?

In celebration of Valentine’s Day, three couples, who should be considered experts, tell of their experiences about love, togetherness and the pursuit of marital bliss.

Fred and Mavis Overman

“We had $5 and I had to borrow that,” said Fred Overman of his humble beginning with wife Mavis. “That was all we had to our names when we got married.”

Fred and Mavis met on a blind date in May 1937. He was 17 and she was 16. They married on March 5, 1938 in Whiteface. In nearly 66 years, the couple has experienced many ups and downs.

One evening in November, after a double date with Fred’s brother and his fiancée, Mavis and Fred were wondering if they would live to attend their wedding.

“We had a Model A Ford when we got married,” said Fred. “We had a wreck in that Ford in November before we married in March. A brake on the front used to hang up when you stopped. Fred’s brother was driving and he went to slow down to turn the corner. Boy, that old car turned end over end and stood up on the radiator. We had to crawl out through the back,” said Mavis.

After their wedding, the Overman’s began working almost immediately.

“We’ve always stayed busy working,” said Mavis. “Fred was a farmer and he worked in the oil fields and I took care of our four sons. I spent most of my time cooking, washing and cleaning.”

The couple had the first of five children in 1940 with the birth of Dwayne. Twins Berle and Merle followed him in 1941, but Merle passed away at five months of age. Fred was born in 1943 and their youngest, Marlon came along in 1945.

Oftentimes, having a husband and four growing boys in the house did pose a challenge for Mavis, especially when the weather turned cold.

“I always said I could keep up with the best steam iron in Texas,” Mavis said. “I starched and ironed 20 to 30 pairs of jeans. Sometimes I would hang Levi’s on the clothesline, it would turn cold and they would freeze. I always said that we had freeze-dried Levi’s.”

Fred and Mavis said they don’t know any particular recipe for a long marriage, but believe that good, clean living in one factor.

“I think you have to learn to forgive and work together, not against each other. When we were young, we thought that when you got married you just stayed married. When things got rough, you toughed it out until they got better,” said Mavis.

“If I were giving advice to a young person now, I would say to go to work and get a job. Then they’ll make it,” Fred added.

Hoyle and Pauline Strickland

Hoyle Dean and Pauline were high school sweethearts when they attended Snyder High School. Although Pauline moved to LaGrange her senior year, that didn’t stop Hoyle Dean from pursuing his future bride.

“I moved my senior year, and he followed me,” laughed Pauline. “He just couldn’t stay away.”

The Strickland’s married on Jan. 9, 1954. Like many young newlyweds, their possessions were sparse.

“We had a 1951 Ford car, but not much more,” said Hoyle Dean. “But I’ll bet Pauline had 27 pairs of shoes. That turtle shell was full of shoes.”

Pauline and Hoyle Dean share a good sense of humor, which has played an important part in getting through some challenging times during their marriage. Hoyle Dean worked in the oil fields during the first years of their marriage, but suffered an injury in an accident in 1966. By that time their family had grown to include four children: Vickie, Sharon, Teresa and Mark.

“We didn’t know what we were going to do,” said Pauline. “We had four little children and believe me, it was a trying time.”

But the couple decided to take matters into their own hands by starting their own business, Strickland’s Television Service.

“We started the business in 1972 and we worked it together for 25 years,” said Pauline.

Like many people, the Stricklands faced challenges the same as any couple, but where many couples might go their separate ways during work hours, the Stricklands were together 24 hours a day.

“We worked very close together every day,” said Pauline. “We got along really well, but every once in awhile, we had our disagreements.”

“That’s true, we had a few disagreements,” added Hoyle Dean. “But we never took our problems to anyone else. We ironed them out ourselves.”

But the metal of their marriage was tested once again when Pauline was diagnosed with cancer six years ago.

“Having our 50th anniversary last month was such a gift because frankly, we didn’t know if I was going to be here long enough to see it,” said Pauline.

When doctor’s told Pauline that she had cancer, they only gave her three years to live. But her determination and the love and support of her husband has paid off.

“They didn’t give me much time, but it’s been six years now and I’m still here. We’re very thankful,” said Pauline.

Pauline voiced her appreciation for the help and support that she received from her husband during her illness.

“He really took over when I was sick. He would cook and clean and helped me so much.”

They say that they don’t know a recipe for having a long marriage, but believe it has to be a true partnership.

“Some people say that marriage is 50--50,” said Hoyle Dean. “But sometimes it’s not like people say. Sometimes it’s 150 on one side. You have to give a little extra sometimes.”

“I think you really have to be in love and you really have to be forgiving. But you really need to be friends. That’s a very, very important part,” Pauline added.

Jimmie and Pat Cornett

Some couples don’t need to know what the other person looks like before they know that there’s an attraction between them.

“We were just voices to one another when we first met,” laughed Pat. “We finally met face-to-face at a party.”

“That was really back in the old days when to make a phone call, you picked up the phone and an operator said ‘number please’ when you needed to make a call. Pat was the operator here in Snyder,” said Jimmie. “I had to work lots of nights at HOMCO, and I was on the phone a lot. I would talk to her whenever I had to make a phone call.”

But that first meeting was the start of a life that saw their 50th anniversary on Sept. 4.

“She has the prettiest brown eyes I had ever seen,” said Jimmie.

“And he had black, curly hair,” smiled Pat.

Their story has been a lesson in togetherness ever since they wed in 1953 at the home of Jimmie’s parents in Center Hill, Texas.

“We got married and then I got a free trip -- to Korea,” said Jimmie.

“We didn’t have many things, but we’d had a wedding shower and so we’d gotten some gifts. But aside from that we just had each other. Our parents didn’t have much to give us except congratulations,” added Pat.

Jimmie and Pat also were the proud owners of a 1952 Ford that he bought brand new.

“He paid that car off while he was in the service,” said Pat. “It was one of two new cars that we’ve had in our lives. The last one was a pickup in 1975. That’s quite a bit of time between new vehicles.”

Jimmie and Pat became parents to two children; Richard, also known as “Doodle,” and Donna.

“We’ve always been very close as a family. When we did something, we always did it as a family,” said Pat. “And we’ve always been involved in church activities. That’s an important part of our lives.”

Jimmie and Pat have always enjoyed traveling together. The two have made trips to Canada every summer since 1995, volunteering their time and talents to help with the Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary.

“We’ve helped build apartments, educational buildings and other construction. It’s a lot of fun to have the chance to do that,” said Jimmie.

“I don’t work as much as Jim does,” said Pat to which Jimmie quickly disagreed.

“She cooks for all of us and keeps us fed. One summer there was a young man from South Africa who loved her pecan pies. He would ask for a ‘pick-a-nut’ pie.”

When asked what advice they would offer to young couples just beginning a marriage, Jimmie and Pat look at one another as if searching for a correct answer.

“I would say that having a commitment for life is the most important thing,” Pat offered. “I think that believing in the marriage vows and really taking them to heart is a key to staying together. Just realize that there are going to be easy times and there’s going to be hard times, so make a commitment to get through it.”

After a few silent moments Jimmie added, “I would just tell them to be good to each other.”