According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Lenard Harvey, 93, and his wife, Bernice Harvey, 98, are celebrating 69 years of marriage, a record that only 1% of married couples achieve.
Lenard told News4, “I think it’s a blessing. God has blessed us, truly.” The proud groom explained that their strong Christian faith, coupled with the values and beliefs he developed at a young age, helped guide him throughout his life.
“By being a Christian man, I believe that whoever God puts together, let no man put asunder,” Harvey explained.
Bernice was a city girl, while Lenard was from the country. They met when they were in their twenties through family relations.
Following a five-month engagement, they married at the Upper Marlboro Justice of the Peace. Lenard served in the army and both he and his wife worked for the federal government.
Bernice had three children before their marriage, all of whom acknowledged Lenard as their father, which was critical to their marriage’s success.
The happy couple still lives independently in their house in Landover, Maryland, some seven decades later.
Lenard asked Bernice, “Do you love me?” to which she replied with a laugh, “After all these years?” while the news outlet chatted with them.
Jocelin Cole, the couple’s daughter, believes her parents and their relationship are worth celebrating. She said, “I’m grateful. Truly grateful. It’s a lot of work, but I wouldn’t miss it for anything.”
Lenard and Bernice credit their 69-year-long marriage to faith and appreciation.
“Sometimes I wake and look at over at her and she’ll be out,” Lenard remarked. “And I just touch her, and she’ll look up and go back [to sleep] I’ll just say, ‘Time to get up, baby. It’s another day.’”