Although it's a couple of weeks past, the blush of Valentine's Day is still in the air -- especially for Chalmers, 98, and Evelyn Elliott, 89, who just celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary. It's nice to know that love really can last a lifetime.

To get to the start of their story, we need to jump back to 1942, when Chalmers was working in Fort Lewis managing P-38 airplanes.

He was 29 and just another lonesome soldier who was invited, by a mutual friend, to come to the Knibbe's house for supper. It was there that he met their spunky daughter, Evelyn, a 20-year-old schoolteacher.

I asked if it was love at first sight and with a shy cheeky grin, Chalmers said, "An impression was made."

At that, Evelyn chimed in, "We talked every Monday night at 7 p.m., wrote almost every day and when he was on furlough, he'd come to visit. We'd use my '37 Plymouth Coupe, which he gassed up with the leftover fuel from the airplanes. Times were tough."

Since they met in the midst of the WWII, I wondered what they did on dates.

"We went ice skating, hiked on Mt Rainier and went skiing -- very public things. We were never in the house, alone, together. We did things proper - there was no messing around. It was unheard of to sleep together, before you got married," she said with great conviction and then went on. "Meat was rationed, so we didn't go out to eat, much. I remember a lot of macaroni and cheese," she laughed.

After two years, Chalmers had made up his mind and on Feb. 8, 1944, on bended knee, he asked Evelyn to be his bride. On Valentine's Day, one week later, they were married and then six weeks later he got shipped down to California.

"We had had enough of being apart, so I moved down to California and we lived in an Ideal Auto Court (what we now call a motel) with other young military couples. Our parents were far away and we were out on our own. We struggled together and that created a strong bond." Evelyn smiled and Chalmers added, "We've been to every state in the union, together."

After a thoughtful moment, Evelyn added, "I'm glad that we've done everything we've done. Do it while you can. You're enthusiasm will wane and your finances may wane, too."

Chalmers knew about the waning finances, because his work history proved that he was someone that wasn't afraid of hard work or trying something new.

"There were no pensions, unemployment or social security, back then. You did what needed to be done."

When I asked them what kept them together through it all, Chalmers said, "Attitude and determination. It's best to wait and know what you want. Get yourself established."

Evelyn's comments were right on his heels. "There were no marriage classes, back then. Marriage was a forever deal. We went by Bible principals, so there was never a thought of divorce. You have choices to make - some are good and some are not so good. We had good role models."

At that, she stood up to bring me their photo album and put her hand on Chalmers' head, then added, "He's got less hair now, but we compliment one another. I race around -- he's the plodder, but we do things together."

They have an incredible collection of pictures. It was wonderful to see the care that they put into documenting their life together. It was as if they planned to be together, forever, from the very beginning. I guess they did.

There is so much that we can learn from our senior citizens. Not only how to live, but how we can choose to love for a lifetime.

Des Moines resident Lee Ryan is an actor, creative writer and voice talent. She can be reached in care of hteditor@robinsonnews.com.