WE’VE ALL seen it in the movies or read about it in books—the romantic story of when a boy meets a girl, and an instant connection is made. Some might even call it love at first sight. The destined pair then rides off into the sunset and into what we know as happily ever after.
There might be some that do not believe such exists, but those people haven’t met Lois and Gene Holmes.
While their love story has had its challenges and struggles over the years, the couple’s 67-year marriage has love and devotion that sparked on the first night they met.
The couple’s story started in 1955 when 19-year-old Gene Holmes found himself on his way to Woodbury with a military buddy. He had a three-day pass from his stationed fort in Delaware and was looking forward to going on a blind date.
Also looking forward to a blind date was 17-year-old Lois Ferrell. She and her friend met the two gentlemen at a football game on a Friday night.
Upon their meeting, a whirlwind of a courtship ensued. How whirlwind? Just a few days after the couple met, they were married.
“We went out on Friday night to a football game with another couple, and then we went out Saturday night, just he and I,” she explained. “On that date, he proposed, and I accepted. We left and headed to Delaware to get permission from his commanding officer to get married. Then we drove to Emporia, Virginia, and we got married.”
Gene said he knew he wanted to marry Lois from the start. He declared that she was one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen, and he could not let her get away.
“She was beautiful, and I fell in love with her personality,” he explained. “I called my dad once we were driving to Delaware. It was 2 a.m. I asked my dad to send me some money. He had sent us $300 to get married. I couldn’t let her get away. It was truly a case of love at first sight.”
Lois would then uproot from Woodbury and move north with her new husband, and for the next 10 years, she would call Delaware home.
Over the years, the couple welcomed a family and enjoyed traveling together. While Gene’s time in the Air Force would keep him away, Lois and their children were always overjoyed to have him home. The couple are the proud parents of five children, 13 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.
Lois affectionately jokes that they have never been empty nesters, but they wouldn’t have it any other way.
“We’ve never really had an empty nest. Each time we have children leave, they bring more back with them. Each one is a blessing,” she said.
The couple has welcomed many children into their homes over the years. Tamela Sadler is who the couple refers to as a bonus daughter. Sadler said she is thankful for the couple and proud to call them parents.
“I met them in 1972 when I was only two years old, and they began taking me to church,” she explained. “When my parents died in a car wreck in December 1974, they were there for me. I have watched them over the past 48 years of my life, always giving of themselves to others, taking in other children like myself, and pouring themselves into their family and community. They have loved me like their own and have been the grandparents to my children that my parents were unable to be.”
Sadler also states that she sees them as an accurate statement of love.
“Their relationship has inspired me to persevere in my own relationship and given me a beautiful template for always striving to be a better person. My life has been blessed beyond measure by their investment in me and my life. Without them and their example, I do not know who I would be.”
Now, with almost seven decades under their belt as a married couple, they said they have learned about each other and what it takes to make a successful marriage.
Lois said she admires Gene’s generosity. Gene credits his wife’s heart and all the good it has done for him and those around her.
“I’m a Christian because of her,” he said. “Her personality and the way she treats people is a blessing. She loves and takes care of everyone. She brings out the best in me.”
Lois said the key to a good marriage is being loyal and respecting each other.
“It’s loyalty and depending on each other,” she said. “I told my boys that when they got married, if they treated their wives like a queen, they would be treated like a king. I think they have taken that advice.”
Now in their 80s, the couple keeps busy and young by exercising, making each other laugh, and traveling when they can.
“We’ve had a great life together,” said Gene. GN
