"He's my valentine," said Maxine Morabito, 82, "and my best friend," referring to her husband, 79-year-old Tony Abbene. They met at the Cascades senior center and have been together six years. Maxine is from Grand Island, Neb.; he is from New York.

Photo: Bill Snead, LoudounExtra.com

Fran and Robert Schmitt, both 77, live in Potomac Falls. Married for 53 years, they met "as almost youngsters" when they were working for Union Switch and Signal Co. in Pittsburgh. Both are involved in activities and do volunteer work at the Loudoun County Senior Center at Cascades. After more than half a century of marriage, Robert said he believes attention is key: "You've just got to pay attention to how the other person feels about things," he said.

Photo: Bill Snead, LoudounExtra.com

Bernard and Gloria Amalaha, "74-plus" and 66, have been married for 51 years. The Amalahas emigrated from Nigeria eight years ago, and five of their eight children still live there. The other three children live in the United States. The couple lives in Sterling. They said togetherness is a big part of their lives.

Photo: Bill Snead, LoudounExtra.com

Dan and Dot Erickson, 80 and 83, live in Sterling and have been married for 52 years. "We've lived together on three continents and have never been bored, especially with one another," Dot said, "and it's really important that the first thing you do is choose the right person to share your life with, and we were fortunate." One more tip: "Don't live beyond your means."

Photo: Bill Snead, LoudounExtra.com

Gene and Juanita Gould, 79 and 78, have been married for 55 years and live in Sterling. They were wed in the Lackland Air Force Base chapel in San Antonio in 1952. Gene was an Air Force lieutenant. With different schedules, Juanita cooks the dinner meal and Gene insists he dries dinner dishes. Both agree: "Keep a sense of humor and don't take too much seriously."

Photo: Bill Snead, LoudounExtra.com

Mabel and Gordon Chin, 71 and 68, have been married for 46 years. They live in Sterling. "We met in a psychology class at the University of Washington a long time ago," Mabel said. They are on their 10th five-year plan. "My husband says he married me for better or for worse but not for lunch," she said laughing. "We give one another space."

Photo: Bill Snead, LoudounExtra.com

D.C. and Fran O'Kelley, both 80, met and graduated together from high school in Manchester, Tenn. "We've been married for 62 years and we're still together and that means a lot," Fran said. They've lived in Sterling Park for 45 years. "We remember when Route 7 was a two-lane highway ... lots has changed," Fran said.

Photo: Bill Snead, LoudounExtra.com

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