{"id":17757,"date":"2016-07-21T05:47:05","date_gmt":"2016-07-21T09:47:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/huntsville.dopperonline.ca\/?p=17757"},"modified":"2018-10-01T13:17:10","modified_gmt":"2018-10-01T17:17:10","slug":"that-thing-called-love-how-don-and-sheila-coker-keep-the-flame-burning-bright","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/doppleronline.ca\/huntsville\/that-thing-called-love-how-don-and-sheila-coker-keep-the-flame-burning-bright\/","title":{"rendered":"That thing called love: how Don and Sheila Coker keep the flame burning bright"},"content":{"rendered":"

Every week, I will be profiling an extraordinary human being who lives in our community. If you know someone who is doing something interesting with their life, I want to hear about it. Send me an email at <\/strong><\/em>laura.maclean@doppleronline.ca<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

(This week\u2019s profile is not my typical extraordinary person profile. It focuses on how the selfless and unconditional love between two people helped them make it to their 60th<\/sup> wedding anniversary. And that, itself, is extraordinary.)<\/em><\/p>\n

It\u2019s true. The kind of love that gives you butterflies and brings you to your knees does exist.<\/p>\n

And I witnessed it this past Sunday. It was a beautiful thing. I thought, \u2018I want that. I definitely do.\u2019 And I wanted to know if there is some marvelous secret to maintaining the longevity in a relationship. Luckily, I got an answer.<\/p>\n

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You can feel the love between these two. They have been sweethearts for over 60 years.<\/p><\/div>\n

Last week, Evelyn Coker, a wedding officiant, sent me a Facebook message. She wanted to give me a heads-up that something pretty awesome was going to happen in a few days. Her in-laws, a long-time couple (I\u2019m talking more than six decades of togetherness) wanted to prove their undying affection for each other by renewing their wedding vows in a special ceremony. Sixty years! Wow, I thought. This is serious love. This is fantastic, extraordinary, hard-to-come-by love. I was already inspired.<\/p>\n

<\/broadstreet-zone><\/strong><\/div>\n

This past Sunday, Don and Sheila Coker said, \u2018I do\u2019 in front of their closest friends and family. It was magical seeing Don staring adoringly at his loving wife as she walked down the isle for the second time since they wed back in 1956.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re renewing our vows for love,\u201d says Sheila. She\u2019s a sweet little lady, with gorgeous white hair and glistening brown eyes. She calls him a gentleman with a great sense of humour. He\u2019s the kind of guy who always put her first, she has never once doubted that she\u2019s his number one.<\/p>\n

It was Don\u2019s idea to renew their vows. He tells me it was important to do it because reaching the 60th<\/sup> anniversary is a big deal. He wanted to reaffirm his love to Sheila. No one makes him feel as special as she does. They both agree they couldn\u2019t live without one another.<\/p>\n

And I wasn\u2019t the only one sucking back the tears. I\u2019m pretty sure most of those in attendance had a lump in their throat watching Don and Sheila proclaim their undying love for one another. Don couldn\u2019t keep his eyes off his blushing bride. She was a radiant sight. Dressed in an elegant gown, Sheila felt the nostalgia set in as soon as she walked down the aisle. Once again, Irvin Payne, the same best man Don had 60 years ago, and Sheila\u2019s maid of honour, Phyllis, who just so happens to be Irvin\u2019s wife, got the chance to be a part of the ceremony.<\/p>\n\n\t\t