During the 1970s, weekends in Franklin County meant gathering with friends at the local Dairy Queen. It was a time when life moved slower, and the small things like milkshakes and fries created memories that would last a lifetime. Life moved at an easy pace, and the chime of a jukebox and the smell of sizzling burgers set the stage for small-town memories. It was also when Ronnie first laid eyes on Linda. Ronnie, a young man with a gift for making friends and a heart full of big dreams, couldn’t take his eyes off her. Introduced by Linda’s brother, their first meeting was brief, but it was undeniable. Something clicked, and that flame grew into a love that would change their lives for decades.
In the early days of their relationship, Linda’s father, the chief deputy of the local sheriff’s department, made a strong impression on Ronnie. A certain respect — and maybe a little intimidation — came with being around him, and Ronnie quickly learned to appreciate both.
Ronnie remembered the blue lights and sirens that often followed them during their outings, but over time, he and Linda’s father developed a special relationship in which they shared hobbies like hunting and cooking.
“Her daddy was one of my best friends,” Ronnie explained. “In our neighborhood, we’d have fish fries and cookouts, and all our neighbors and friends would come over.”
By 1975, it was clear their love was meant to last. On Valentine’s Day, Ronnie popped the question, and Linda said ‘yes’ without hesitation. That summer, on July Fourth — Linda’s mother’s birthday — they tied the knot in a simple but intimate ceremony at a lakeside campground. True to their resourceful, down-to-earth nature, Linda and her best friend gathered daisies from the roadside to create a sweet, homespun wedding arrangement.
“They had a really nice setup for it,” Ronnie recalled.
They spent their early years together building a life and raising their two boys, Kris and Derrick, on a piece of family land where they built their dream home in the early 1980s. The house became the perfect setting for precious memories, reminding them of their own childhood. Christmas mornings were filled with the smell of Linda’s famous desserts, and summers were for barbecues with neighbors while Kris and Derrick played in the yard with friends.
“Those years with the kids, raising them, were some of the most memorable,” said Ronnie.
Ronnie worked at a local dealership during those years, and both he and Linda worked hard to build a future for themselves and their family.
Throughout the years, Ronnie and Linda always left room for new adventures. Ronnie fondly recalled the many trips they took for his job, both close to home and far beyond.
One of their most memorable work trips took them to Palm Springs, where Linda got to drive combines and tractors — which Ronnie said she really enjoyed.
But the adventures didn’t stop there. The couple also ventured across the pond, making several trips to Europe. The last of these was a breathtaking journey to Barcelona, followed by a scenic cruise up to Italy and France.
They also made their way to London, where they hopped on the Eurostar train and rode it down to Paris for a week of sightseeing and soaking in the charm of the City of Light. Monte Carlo was another unforgettable destination that they visited during their early travels.
“Those were things we never dreamed we’d be able to do,” Ronnie said.
While their business allowed them to travel, it was always about balancing work with time for family and each other. Those adventures remain some of Ronnie’s most valuable memories, and the highlight was having Linda by his side, sharing in the joy of every experience together.
“It always seemed like wherever I went, she came along,” he reminisced.
Linda worked in bookkeeping at a local gas company then, but the couple soon realized they wanted to settle down and build a future on their own terms.
In 2012, Ronnie took a leap and opened Swann Equipment, a family business for agricultural repair and the consignment of used machinery. Around the same time, Linda retired from her own job, and her health began to decline. Though she had to step back from supporting Ronnie’s business, her support for Ronnie never faltered.
Even as Linda’s health deteriorated, Ronnie recalled how her spirit remained strong.
“She’d put on that happy face, even when things weren’t so great,” he said.
“She never complained,” he added. “I’d often know when she needed a blood transfusion before she even said anything. She’s just that kind of person — always thinking of others before herself.”
Ronnie joked that the secret to a long-lasting marriage is to “stay broke,” but he admitted the true secret was friendship and love, which carried them through financial struggles, health challenges, and the ups and downs of life.
“I think you have to like one another. You have to read the other person as well. Relationships are give and take.”
Today, while their adventures may look different than they once did, Ronnie still finds contentment in the small moments he spends with Linda. Even something as simple as driving her to appointments has become a cherished experience for the couple.
As they near 50 years of marriage, the Swanns will tell you that the beauty of life lies in the simple moments. It’s in showing up for one another, day in and day out, through both the storms and the sunshine, and discovering joy in the everyday. Together, they’ve weathered life’s challenges, always finding reasons to celebrate the love, family, and unity that bind them. Their love story is a timeless reminder of what matters most — love, family, and the people who make life beautiful.
