Batavia couple married 70 years

June has always been the No. 1 month for weddings. In fact, the popularity can be traced back to medieval times, when May and June were the months for the annual bath. June was an opportune time for a wedding because June brides smelled fresh.

Grooms too.

Now in the race to the altar, September is giving June a run for its money.

According to XO Group, Inc. an Internet media company dedicated to providing information on wedding trends, September has tied June as the most popular month for weddings.

Many couples married last month pledged to be together forever. For some, "forever" won't last very long.

How does a couple stay married for a lifetime?

"How much time do you have?" responded Joe Stephano.

Joe and Betty have been married 70 years this year. They have known each other since third grade. That was 82 years ago.

It wasn't until freshman year that the two started dating. Like the gallant knight in shining armor, Joe proved his love and devotion.

"There was a guy from Plano who was interested in Betty and he came up to Batavia," Joe recalled. "My friend and I told him to never set foot in Batavia again."

"Isn't that silly," said Betty, with a smile. "That boy (from Plano) still wrote me letters."

After high school, Betty went to work in Chicago and Joe went into the Air Force and was stationed in downstate Rantoul. One evening, Joe met Betty and accompanied her home on the Aurora/Elgin train. He surprised her by proposing.

"I knew I loved him, but I really wasn't expecting him to propose," she said. "It really took me by surprise."

Joe got a three-day pass from the base and they were married. After a honeymoon night at the Sherman House in Chicago, the couple headed back to Rantoul.

"It was almost impossible to find a place to live," Joe said. "All the servicemen were looking for apartments. The only place we could find was a room in an orphanage."

"There were so many kids there," Betty said. "I was afraid to go out of the room."

Joe's first job was in sales at Dukane where he made $168 a month.

"Believe it or not that was a lot of money in 1945," he added.

He continued in sales with a number of different companies. That kept him on the road quite a bit. When he did have time at home, he spent his evenings building a house.

Betty, meanwhile, was raising their four children.

"And then on the weekends he played golf," Betty added.

"That was part of my job, entertaining clients," Joe replied.

Betty responded with a smirk, and then a smile.

The couple delighted in raising their children. When the kids were older, Betty spent her extra time being Batavia's Welcome Wagon Hostess for the chamber of commerce.

"I loved that job," she said. "It was great to be able to meet new people coming into Batavia."

The Stephanos had the opportunity to travel, visiting many different continents and sharing the joy of discovering new places. They lived through life's ups and downs, including a very scary time when Joe contracted the West Nile virus.

"They didn't know what was wrong with me," Joe said. "For four days, they didn't know what they were dealing with."

Betty remembers that time as very difficult.

"We were told that he might not make it," she recalled.

They have always been there for each other and haven't given up when life was tough.

So what advice would this couple give to a young couple getting married?

"Well, our grandson (was) married this September. I'd tell him to work hard and play hard." said Joe, smiling at Betty.

Perhaps the secret to a long marriage are the words unspoken - the smiles, the glances and the comfort of being there for one another.