Tommy and Margaret Watkins met in March 1947 in New Hampshire.

“It was a long way from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, to my new work place, Grenier AFB in New Hampshire,” Tommy said. “In February 1947, the average daily temperature was probably around 25 degrees. By March that year, my quest for warmth came to a halt. When I gazed into the deep brown eyes of a black haired beauty behind the lunch counter of F.W. Woolworth, I couldn’t help notice how her red lips complimented the creamy white skin as she walked towards me to take my order.”

Tommy was 19 in November when he asked Margaret’s father for her hand in marriage.

Nine children, 23 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild later, the couple is celebrating their 70^th anniversary on Nov. 22.