Eileen and Gordon Bitely’s romance first sparked when she sent him daily letters while he was fighting in World War II

NEED TO KNOW

• Eileen and Gordon Bitely celebrated 80 years of marriage on Aug. 25 after tying the knot in 1946
• The couple, whose romance began with a long-distance correspondence during World War II, credits teamwork and open communication as the foundation of their relationship
• “And don’t let anybody tell you that marriage is a 50-50 thing,” Eileen added of her lifelong connection with Gordon

After eight decades of marriage, one couple is imparting their most valuable advice to couples considering tying the knot.

Eileen and Gordon Bitely recently celebrated their 80th wedding anniversary together, marking another special milestone in their lifelong connection. When NBC affiliate WOOD TV8 asked them what their secret to a lasting marriage was, the couple detailed how they’ve fostered their relationship into something that grows stronger with each passing year.

“If you have any [major] decisions, get everything talked out before you get married,” Eileen, 96, said. “Spend a lot of time with that.”

“There’s a lot of weaving-together in a marriage,” Gordon, 101, added, and Eileen could be heard expressing her agreement in the background. “In other words, your mother and dad raised you in one way, his mother and dad raised him one way — you’ve got to weave that together, that’s very important.”

In their youth, Gordon and Eileen knew each other because their parents were close friends, Gordon told the outlet. The first sparks of their romance flew when Gordon went off to fight in World War II, during which time Eileen penned him daily letters.

On Aug. 25, 1946, the couple tied the knot at a home built by Eileen’s father in Onekama in West Michigan. They later welcomed five children, all sons, who have since married and had children of their own, making Gordon and Eileen grandparents and great-grandparents.

The key to the life they’ve built, Eileen said, is working as a team: Gordon worked two jobs, and Eileen held down the fort at home. She shared that teamwork now manifests differently and perhaps more creatively, as Gordon builds birdhouses which she then paints.

These days, Eileen and Gordon prioritize surrounding themselves with the people and activities they love. They enjoy attending their church on Sundays and spending time with their family, and together they still indulge in one of their favorite pastimes: camping.

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For couples looking to tie the knot, Eileen debunked a common misconception of marriage, and highlighted a crucial tenet of a lasting connection like theirs.

“And don’t let anybody tell you that marriage is a 50-50 thing,” Eileen said of her and Gordon’s relationship. “It is 100 percent, both ways.”

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