It’s said that true love never fades. If that’s the case, Ralph and Blanche Del Deo of Palm Beach must have a strong case.
When Blanche was only 12 and Ralph was only 15, the couple fell in love. Their families were on vacation in Atlantic City at the time, which allowed the two to meet.
On November 29, toward the end of last month, they celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary.
According to EU News, Ralph and Blanche’s anniversary celebrations got underway last Tuesday with a cocktail party that drew about 30 close and longtime friends.
According to their daughter KT Catlin, who lives with them, they had a family BBQ yesterday.
Four children, nine grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren belong to the couple, who are currently 97 and 95 years old. According to reports, some people made the long journey to be with Ralph and Blanche on their special day from as far away as Texas and New Jersey.
Early on in their relationship, the couple co-starred in community theatre productions and worked as directors for the American Kennel Club.
“We both liked the outdoors. We just always tried to be optimistic and think of each other,” Ralph said Thursday. “She could ride a horse better than I could. She is an amazing gal. She is quiet and polite and so capable.”
The 1947 newlyweds travelled to Mexico on their honeymoon while traversing the United States. Only after they ran out of money did they come back.
Ralph recalled: “By the time we got back and got on with our lives, we knew each other very well. We liked each other even better. We really were a team and we tried to stay that way all our lives.”
Ralph and Blanche initially corresponded via letters after their initial encounter as young children.
Later, Ralph received an invitation to a gathering at Duquesne University from Blanche, a fellow student. Their daughter Catlin recalled that when she descended a grand staircase, he was “lovestruck” and knew he wanted to wed her.
“They love each other and were each other’s best friend. They spent as much time doing things together as they could,” Catlin said. “It is not that they always agreed or saw things they same way. They didn’t keep secrets. They talked to each other.”