Thomas and Ernestine Price were married Sept. 10, 1947, on the front porch of her home.
COLUMBUS, Ohio — A Columbus couple is celebrating an extraordinary milestone — 78 years of marriage.
Thomas and Ernestine Price met in 1940 when she moved to Columbus at age 11. Thomas was a friend of her cousin.
“I told her cousin, ‘I’m going to marry that girl.’ And I did,” Thomas said.
The couple dated during their teenage years under the watchful eye of family members.
“My sisters used to chaperone. At that time, when you were courting, you would come to the young lady’s house,” Ernestine said.
In 1944 during World War II, Thomas went to the Navy while Ernestine finished high school.
“He wrote letters to me during the time he was in the Navy and so that’s how we stayed connected together,” Ernestine said.
Thomas returned from military service in 1946. The couple became engaged on Mother’s Day that year and married Sept. 10, 1947, on the front porch of Ernestine’s home.
The Prices made their home in Columbus and raised three children — one son and two daughters. Their family has grown to include nine grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and 15 great-great-grandchildren.
In their younger years, the couple enjoyed skating and going to movies together.
“Right now, there’s no special favorites to do. We’re just here and try to be safe and take care of ourselves,” Ernestine said.
After nearly eight decades of marriage, the Prices credit their longevity to complete honesty.
“No secrets between the couple. That’s not going to work because everything comes out sooner or later,” Ernestine said.
The pair said they would do it all over again.
“Would you marry me again?” Ernestine asked her husband.
“Yeah,” Thomas responded.
“Oh, you would? I think I’ll keep you, too. How about that?” Ernestine replied.