TAMPA — It was like a scene right out of the movie, the Notebook. A 92-year-old husband threw his 89-year-old wife a surprise 70th wedding anniversary party at the assisted living facility where she is living with Alzheimer's.
Elsie and Joe Archer’s love for one another is just as strong today as it was in 1950.
After six children, 26 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, they celebrate 70 years of marriage this month.
“We’re lucky we made it. With all the years of trials and tribulations, we still lived through it,” said Joe.
According to their twin daughters, it was love at first sight.
“They met roller skating up in northern Pennsylvania and dad fell in love with mom because of her smile,” said Linda Miller.
To commemorate the special occasion, Joe threw his bride a party at the Discovery Village at Westchase where she has been living for the past few years.
Three of the couple’s children were able to attend.
“Mom is very happy to have all of us here. Dad is overjoyed. He woke up this morning early and was ready to go and was just excited to celebrate his anniversary with mom,” said Miller.
Joe still lives on his own but visits his wife every day.
“His devotion to her every day, seven days a week, every day of the year, he comes in and spends five or six hours with her,” said daughter Cinda Snow.
One of their favorite hobbies is singing together, especially the song “You are my Sunshine.”
“Because mom remembers words to songs and he shares a lot of memories through song.” Said Miller.
Their daughters say their parents' marriage isn’t a fairy tale, but it’s pretty close.
“We knew when they might have had a fight because mom would make dad a coconut cream pie so that was our signal that something wasn’t perfect,” said Miller.
On this anniversary, it’s safe to say, these two are living happily ever after.
