Plymouth Couple are Lifelong Valentines

If you need some advice on keeping your Valentine around for the long term, look no further than Joe and Gwen Ladner, who live at Trillium Woods in Plymouth.

They have been married since 1962. The fact they can easily talk to one another is what attracted them to each other years ago.

“One of the things that really attracted me to her was communication,” remembers Joe Ladner. “We could talk. There’s not too many people that you can feel real comfortable talking with.”

Joe and Gwen met for the first time in 1959 on a double date, only they weren’t there to date each other. It didn’t take long for them to realize they were on a date with the wrong person.

They remedied that situation and now have three daughters and eight grandchildren. Add the spouses and the Ladners and “there’s 16 in all” they say.

Gwen and Joe Ladner, 1962

The Ladner’s story is one of several that is featured on an in-house channel at Trillium Woods during Valentine’s Day weekend. Usually, the couples mingle to share stories, but this year it’s all in video form.

“It’s a great way to engage with each other and learn more about where everyone’s come from and where everyone has been,” said Matt Phipps, executive director at Trillium Woods. “All the love stories are different, but it’s fun to leran about how they met, how long they’ve bene married and what they’ve been able to enjoy over the years.”

Plymouth