The Seven-Decade Love Story That Could Make Anyone Believe in True Love

Every couple likes to believe they have the most romantic love story, but these guys take the cake.

Edmund

• Published in Interesting
• December 23, 2018

Every couple likes to believe they have the most romantic love story. They usually tell the story over and over again in an overly romanticised manner (I assume). Most overly romantic love stories will include the words "there was this undeniable spark".

Well, I'm here to tell you to move aside guys because Preble and Isabell Staver have hands down the best love story that spanned seven decades, one war, multiple moves across the country, five children and one of them getting dementia.

In a world where fleeting relationships are painted as the love story for the ages, I want to present to you a truly heartwarming love story that can't be compared to any other.

Preble and Isabell Staver first met on a blind date in Philadelphia where they were both studying. Just as their budding romance was beginning, the U.S. entered world war two. Both Preble and Isabell felt a need to help their country so they signed up.

Preble joined as a marine (and eventually received a bronze star) and Isabell joined as a Navy nurse in Maryland. WWII ended on September 2, 1945 and the couples romance wasted no time having reunited within five months and married on February 15, 1946 and had five children.

The love that endured

Many decades later Isabell began showing signs of dementia. In 2013, the couple along with the help of their children decided to relocate to a care facility in Norfolk, Virginia. Between the new environment and the worsening condition of his wife,

Preble took the transition hard. Despite being in the same facility, the couple had to sleep in different rooms. Despite this, the couples romance continued. Preble visited Isabell in the Memory Care Unit even after he stopped walking.“When I would reunite them, they always, the first thing they’d do was put their hands out and hold each other’s hand and tell each other they loved each other.” said Laurie (one of their five children).

Birthday wish

Prior to Preble’s 96th birthday he had one wish, he wanted to sleep next to the love of his life one more time. Luckily thanks to the amazing staff at the facility, for almost three hours Preble got his wish.

“There was not a single word spoken between the two of them. They held hands and just fell asleep.” 

Days later on October 25, 2017, Isabell passed away with her loving husband by her side. 14 hours later, on the very same day, Preble passed away as well. It has been said that it was almost like he waited to make sure she was going to be ok and others have said it was as if he died of heartbreak.

A beautiful love love story.

They truly knew how to live and love one another. It is the type of love we all hope to find.

“Mom and dad really lived out that, if you make a commitment, and even though life gets rough or life gets in the way, you work through life,” said Laurie. “And you live your life together.”

Edmund