It began as a campus romance. They were introduced in 1969 by a colleague at Oakland University in the student center. She was wearing a short two-piece white outfit that he remembers fondly. They were both members of the faculty in the English department. It appears English is truly a romance language.
Tonight, I witnessed chivalry in its finest form as he walked around to open her car door and made sure she was situated safely in the passenger seat. She said he would be wearing his blue suit for our portrait session and that he was very handsome, and surely she is the luckiest woman in the world. She agreed to wear her wedding dress and veil from their June 10, 1971 wedding.
Elderly couple celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary wear their original wedding outfits during a photoshoot
Marla Michele Must, MPP
Could you briefly introduce yourself?
“We are Jane and Bob Eberwein, 50-year residents of Birmingham and retired professors in Oakland University’s Department of English.”
Where are the two of you from?
J — “I’m a New Englander and still enjoy getting back to my home city of Boston. I graduated from Emmanuel College, and earned a Ph.D. in American Civilization at Brown University before moving to Michigan in 1969 to teach at Oakland University. Bob is a native Detroiter who has lived in Michigan all his life. He graduated from the University of Michigan and Wayne State.”
What favorite things do you enjoy doing together?
“We’re walkers and chose to live in this neighborhood because all the nearby streets are so walkable. We’ve been in the habit of getting out for walks several times a day, although physical limitations have cut back lately on mileage. We enjoy dining in local restaurants. We’re regulars at Sunday Mass at Holy Name Church. We have a strong circle of friendships that result in social get-togethers. We always have things to talk about with each other: cats (two of them currently living with us), garden, continuing professional involvement, public affairs.”
Elderly couple celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary walk arm-in-arm next to a lake, him in a blue suit and her in her original wedding dress
Marla Michele Must, MPP
What is the secret to a long-lasting marriage?
J — “Longevity and luck play bigger roles than we might like to think. My father died two months before my parents’ tenth anniversary, so I learned that lesson early. Friendship matters, too. We think of our romance as a friendship that caught fire, but it still remains our closest friendship. It helps to have stable personalities. Both of us are creatures of habit; we appreciate continuity. As a Catholic, I revere marriage as a sacrament that is God’s gift.”
How has this portrait session with Marla Michele Must affected you?
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