1 00:00:38,001 --> 00:00:41,440 Speaker 1: Hey friends, it's Kelly from Life Audio. We just launched 2 00:00:41,501 --> 00:00:45,181 Speaker 1: something new. It's called The Good Word, our free weekly 3 00:00:45,241 --> 00:00:48,120 Speaker 1: newsletter built for people who want to go a little 4 00:00:48,161 --> 00:00:54,011 Speaker 1: deeper in their faith. Think devotionals, guided prayers, curated podcast recommendations, 5 00:00:54,191 --> 00:00:57,311 Speaker 1: and a little community all in one place. No ads, 6 00:00:57,651 --> 00:01:00,091 Speaker 1: just good content. This one means a lot to us. 7 00:01:00,491 --> 00:01:03,271 Speaker 1: We built The Good Word based on the audience survey 8 00:01:03,491 --> 00:01:05,671 Speaker 1: so many of you filled out a few months back. 9 00:01:05,991 --> 00:01:08,571 Speaker 1: You told us what you wanted and we listened. So 10 00:01:08,611 --> 00:01:11,560 Speaker 1: thank you truly for helping us shape this. Head to 11 00:01:11,580 --> 00:01:14,181 Speaker 1: the link in the show notes and join our community today. 12 00:01:14,481 --> 00:01:15,441 Speaker 1: We'd love to have you. 13 00:01:18,461 --> 00:01:25,811 Speaker 2: Life Audio. Welcome back, friends, loyal listeners, and newcomers for 14 00:01:25,830 --> 00:01:31,071 Speaker 2: the first time to the Story Behind podcast. Encouraging stories, 15 00:01:31,871 --> 00:01:36,431 Speaker 2: uplifting news from around the world behind what you may 16 00:01:36,471 --> 00:01:39,191 Speaker 2: be seeing in your algorithm or the rest of your 17 00:01:39,231 --> 00:01:44,371 Speaker 2: news feed. Let's talk today about marital love from beginning 18 00:01:44,391 --> 00:01:50,551 Speaker 2: the proposal stage all the way to maybe 80 years, say, 19 00:01:51,011 --> 00:01:55,021 Speaker 2: of marriage. I'll be back in just a second with 20 00:01:55,701 --> 00:02:11,091 Speaker 2: two tales of love, beginning and everlasting, after this. Alright, 21 00:02:11,171 --> 00:02:16,051 Speaker 2: we've got two stories from Heather Riggleman today. Let's get 22 00:02:16,151 --> 00:02:19,631 Speaker 2: started with the first one about a proposal that happened 23 00:02:19,651 --> 00:02:26,661 Speaker 2: at a drive-in movie theater. A man planned the perfect 24 00:02:26,901 --> 00:02:31,981 Speaker 2: drive-in date. Then, he surprised her with a proposal of 25 00:02:32,021 --> 00:02:37,261 Speaker 2: her dreams. There's something undeniably romantic about a drive-in movie. 26 00:02:37,861 --> 00:02:41,201 Speaker 2: The glow of the big screen. The quiet hum of 27 00:02:41,281 --> 00:02:47,181 Speaker 2: car engines, blankets draped across truck beds, and the feeling that, 28 00:02:47,561 --> 00:02:50,841 Speaker 2: for a little while, the rest of the world disappears. 29 00:02:52,481 --> 00:02:56,841 Speaker 2: For Faith Ferriolo, it seemed like the perfect date night. 30 00:02:58,001 --> 00:03:03,031 Speaker 2: She and her boyfriend, Nathan Capus, headed to Virginia's Goochland 31 00:03:03,131 --> 00:03:07,051 Speaker 2: Drive-In Theater to watch Star Wars The Mandalorian and Grogu. 32 00:03:08,331 --> 00:03:12,171 Speaker 2: At least, that's what Faith thought. What she didn't know 33 00:03:12,651 --> 00:03:15,231 Speaker 2: was that Nathan had been planning a surprise worthy of 34 00:03:15,281 --> 00:03:21,520 Speaker 2: the movies for months. Back in March, Nathan secretly contacted 35 00:03:21,561 --> 00:03:25,441 Speaker 2: the drive-in theater staff to ask in hopes if they 36 00:03:25,501 --> 00:03:30,691 Speaker 2: would help him create the proposal of Fate Streams. We 37 00:03:30,731 --> 00:03:34,030 Speaker 2: were honored to work with him on this epic proposal, 38 00:03:34,091 --> 00:03:38,751 Speaker 2: the theater shared. As the evening began, the giant movie 39 00:03:38,771 --> 00:03:43,031 Speaker 2: screen suddenly came to life. with a video that wasn't 40 00:03:43,071 --> 00:03:48,071 Speaker 2: part of the feature presentation. Faith watched in stunned silence 41 00:03:48,811 --> 00:03:52,571 Speaker 2: as Nathan appeared on the screen with a heartfelt message. 42 00:03:53,731 --> 00:03:56,571 Speaker 2: I love you so much, he said. I want to 43 00:03:56,611 --> 00:04:02,231 Speaker 2: spend eternity with you. Then reality became even sweeter than 44 00:04:02,251 --> 00:04:06,851 Speaker 2: the movie. In front of all the moviegoers, Nathan took 45 00:04:06,931 --> 00:04:10,951 Speaker 2: Faith's hand, got down on one knee, opened a ring box, 46 00:04:11,371 --> 00:04:13,501 Speaker 2: and asked the question she'd never forget. 47 00:04:14,421 --> 00:04:15,581 Speaker 3: Will you marry me? 48 00:04:17,601 --> 00:04:23,141 Speaker 2: With tears, laughter, and complete surprise, Faith said yes. As 49 00:04:23,201 --> 00:04:27,600 Speaker 2: Nathan slipped the ring onto her finger, the drive-in erupted 50 00:04:27,851 --> 00:04:34,171 Speaker 2: in applause. Moviegoers cheered, clapped, honked their horns, and shouted congratulations. 51 00:04:35,591 --> 00:04:38,871 Speaker 2: The couple embraced as Nathan lifted his new fiancée into 52 00:04:38,911 --> 00:04:45,421 Speaker 2: the air. celebrating the beginning of forever. Later, Faith shared 53 00:04:45,481 --> 00:04:49,921 Speaker 2: just how much the moment meant to her. Spent my 54 00:04:49,961 --> 00:04:53,401 Speaker 2: whole life looking for you, and now I get to 55 00:04:53,441 --> 00:04:57,101 Speaker 2: be with you forever, in every lifetime, in every universe, 56 00:04:57,981 --> 00:05:01,761 Speaker 2: she wrote. I am so grateful for you, Nathan, just 57 00:05:02,521 --> 00:05:05,001 Speaker 2: so utterly in love with you and all that you are. 58 00:05:06,661 --> 00:05:10,771 Speaker 2: She also called him her best friend, confidant, and heart 59 00:05:10,811 --> 00:05:16,601 Speaker 2: and soul. Some love stories don't just belong on the 60 00:05:16,621 --> 00:05:22,661 Speaker 2: big screen. Sometimes they unfold right beneath the stars, reminding 61 00:05:22,741 --> 00:05:26,380 Speaker 2: us that the most beautiful endings are often just the beginning. 62 00:05:28,041 --> 00:05:29,901 Speaker 2: At My Oh My, Nathan and Faith will have a 63 00:05:29,931 --> 00:05:32,931 Speaker 2: beautiful love story to share with their kids and grandkids 64 00:05:33,891 --> 00:05:39,981 Speaker 2: for years to come. As it says in Proverbs 18.22, 65 00:05:39,981 --> 00:05:43,261 Speaker 2: And I can attest to this. He who finds a 66 00:05:43,321 --> 00:05:48,700 Speaker 2: wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord. 67 00:05:51,161 --> 00:05:54,241 Speaker 3: As I mull on my what will be 28 years 68 00:05:54,341 --> 00:05:57,890 Speaker 3: come this December of marriage to Valerie and my own 69 00:05:57,921 --> 00:06:01,251 Speaker 3: creative proposal, I'll be back in just a minute with 70 00:06:01,511 --> 00:06:04,531 Speaker 3: a story of a couple who has even more memories 71 00:06:04,851 --> 00:06:06,131 Speaker 3: than either one of us. 72 00:06:07,051 --> 00:06:07,491 Speaker 1: Be right back. 73 00:06:16,291 --> 00:06:19,531 Speaker 2: Our first story today was about a couple in love 74 00:06:19,591 --> 00:06:23,841 Speaker 2: who was just getting started with their journey. This couple 75 00:06:23,880 --> 00:06:28,341 Speaker 2: in our second story, also by Heather Riggleman, has seen 76 00:06:28,380 --> 00:06:33,981 Speaker 2: it all through 80 years. A couple who married in 77 00:06:34,021 --> 00:06:39,391 Speaker 2: high school just celebrated 80 years of marriage. In a 78 00:06:39,431 --> 00:06:44,010 Speaker 2: world where forever can feel increasingly rare, Kermit and Betty 79 00:06:44,151 --> 00:06:49,101 Speaker 2: Eastman are living proof. that some love stories really do 80 00:06:49,201 --> 00:06:54,971 Speaker 2: last a lifetime. The St. Cloud, Minnesota couple, who both 81 00:06:55,591 --> 00:07:01,871 Speaker 2: recently turned 99, celebrated an astonishing 80 years of marriage 82 00:07:02,031 --> 00:07:06,411 Speaker 2: on June 6th. And it's a milestone so rare that 83 00:07:06,551 --> 00:07:12,811 Speaker 2: experts estimate only one U.S. couple reaches it each year. Worldwide, 84 00:07:12,931 --> 00:07:17,201 Speaker 2: it's believed only one in six million couples live long 85 00:07:17,261 --> 00:07:24,021 Speaker 2: enough to celebrate eight decades together. In years, it's almost 86 00:07:24,081 --> 00:07:27,601 Speaker 2: impossible to wrap your heart around, but it's the kind 87 00:07:27,641 --> 00:07:31,131 Speaker 2: of story we pray for when we say, I do. 88 00:07:32,991 --> 00:07:37,391 Speaker 2: This couple's story began in Thief River Falls, where Betty's 89 00:07:37,451 --> 00:07:42,091 Speaker 2: family moved in nearby. Kermit noticed the girl next door, 90 00:07:43,471 --> 00:07:46,591 Speaker 2: and before long, she noticed the young man with the 91 00:07:46,711 --> 00:07:51,321 Speaker 2: neighborhood lawn mowing business. But before their love story could 92 00:07:51,361 --> 00:07:56,641 Speaker 2: truly begin, history interrupted when World War II broke out. 93 00:07:57,861 --> 00:08:01,461 Speaker 2: That's when Kermit left high school to serve in the U.S. 94 00:08:01,501 --> 00:08:01,780 Speaker 3: Navy. 95 00:08:03,221 --> 00:08:07,081 Speaker 2: While aboard the USS Mullaney, his ship was struck by 96 00:08:07,121 --> 00:08:11,731 Speaker 2: a Japanese kamikaze attack that claimed the lives of about 97 00:08:11,731 --> 00:08:15,431 Speaker 2: 20 sailors. But by the hand of God, he made 98 00:08:15,471 --> 00:08:19,321 Speaker 2: it home. And because he did, a love story that 99 00:08:19,421 --> 00:08:25,981 Speaker 2: almost never was became one that would outlast generations. The 100 00:08:26,021 --> 00:08:29,761 Speaker 2: couple married shortly after the war, finished high school together, 101 00:08:31,001 --> 00:08:35,181 Speaker 2: and even attended prom as husband and wife. They then 102 00:08:35,241 --> 00:08:36,861 Speaker 2: built a beautiful life in St. 103 00:08:36,901 --> 00:08:37,221 Speaker 1: Cloud. 104 00:08:38,401 --> 00:08:43,441 Speaker 2: Together they raised two children and now celebrate five grandchildren, 105 00:08:44,021 --> 00:08:52,990 Speaker 2: eleven great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren. Their 80th anniversary is known 106 00:08:53,030 --> 00:08:57,230 Speaker 2: as the Oak Anniversary. I'm not sure anyone knows that 107 00:08:57,271 --> 00:08:59,481 Speaker 2: little tidbit, but when Kermit was asked about it, he 108 00:08:59,521 --> 00:09:03,060 Speaker 2: gave these thoughts. I think the oak is a pretty 109 00:09:03,141 --> 00:09:07,341 Speaker 2: solid tree, Kermit said. It feels like the perfect symbol. 110 00:09:08,841 --> 00:09:12,621 Speaker 2: Because oak trees don't become strong overnight. They weather storms. 111 00:09:13,471 --> 00:09:17,711 Speaker 2: Learning to bend in fierce winds and... When they lose leaves, 112 00:09:18,011 --> 00:09:21,261 Speaker 2: grow new ones, and quietly keep standing year after year. 113 00:09:23,181 --> 00:09:27,301 Speaker 2: Maybe that's what faithful marriages look like, too. When asked 114 00:09:27,441 --> 00:09:31,241 Speaker 2: the secret to eight decades together, their answer was a complicated, 115 00:09:32,471 --> 00:09:34,790 Speaker 2: It is just what we all need to hear. Just 116 00:09:34,831 --> 00:09:39,171 Speaker 2: don't keep secrets and be honest. They said, tell it 117 00:09:39,331 --> 00:09:44,310 Speaker 2: like it is. Their wisdom is refreshingly simple in a 118 00:09:44,371 --> 00:09:49,481 Speaker 2: culture always looking for shortcuts. Love stories like Kermit and 119 00:09:49,501 --> 00:09:53,321 Speaker 2: Betty's awaken a sense of hope in me. They remind 120 00:09:53,361 --> 00:09:59,371 Speaker 2: me that unconditional love is still possible. Ordinary days faithfully 121 00:09:59,431 --> 00:10:04,671 Speaker 2: lived become extraordinary over time. And if I'm honest, I 122 00:10:04,691 --> 00:10:08,190 Speaker 2: found myself whispering a prayer after reading their story, Lord, 123 00:10:08,391 --> 00:10:12,771 Speaker 2: Let This Be Us. Not because everyone is given 80 124 00:10:12,771 --> 00:10:17,011 Speaker 2: years together. That is a gift few receive. But because 125 00:10:17,431 --> 00:10:21,570 Speaker 2: every marriage God blesses deserves to grow deep roots, weather 126 00:10:21,771 --> 00:10:26,351 Speaker 2: hard seasons, and become an oak tree that shelters generations 127 00:10:26,410 --> 00:10:32,301 Speaker 2: yet to come. Love isn't measured only in anniversaries. It's 128 00:10:32,351 --> 00:10:36,420 Speaker 2: measured in choosing each other again and again until, by 129 00:10:36,481 --> 00:10:45,321 Speaker 2: God's grace, forever finally arrives. As it says in Mark 10, 7-9, 130 00:10:46,861 --> 00:10:49,701 Speaker 2: For this reason, a man will leave his father and 131 00:10:49,721 --> 00:10:52,871 Speaker 2: mother and be united to his wife, and the two 132 00:10:52,910 --> 00:10:56,551 Speaker 2: will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, 133 00:10:57,151 --> 00:11:02,101 Speaker 2: but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let 134 00:11:02,121 --> 00:11:10,871 Speaker 2: no one separate. Thanks for listening to the Story Behind podcast. 135 00:11:12,131 --> 00:11:18,231 Speaker 2: I hope today's story encouraged you that real love still happens, 136 00:11:19,410 --> 00:11:23,810 Speaker 2: that it only takes one, and reminds you of the 137 00:11:23,851 --> 00:11:26,050 Speaker 2: ways God is still moving in the world around us. 138 00:11:27,491 --> 00:11:29,411 Speaker 2: You can visit the links in the show notes to 139 00:11:29,451 --> 00:11:33,431 Speaker 2: find the original articles, photos, videos, and any resources mentioned 140 00:11:33,551 --> 00:11:39,751 Speaker 2: in today's episode on the God Outdates blog at got2. com. 141 00:11:39,941 --> 00:11:42,180 Speaker 2: If you enjoyed these stories, be sure to follow Story 142 00:11:42,221 --> 00:11:45,821 Speaker 2: Behind wherever you listen to podcasts and share it with 143 00:11:45,881 --> 00:11:49,701 Speaker 2: someone who could use a little encouragement. Story Behind is 144 00:11:49,741 --> 00:11:54,681 Speaker 2: a Life Audio production. For more faith-based podcasts, visit lifeaudio.com. 145 00:11:57,021 --> 00:12:00,171 Speaker 2: I'm Sean McAvoy. Thanks again for joining me. And we'll 146 00:12:00,191 --> 00:12:02,940 Speaker 2: see you next time on Story Behind.