“My heart is, and always will be, yours,” said Edward Ferrars to Elinor Dashwood in Jane Austen’s Sense & Sensibility. That beautiful sentiment from 205 years ago still holds true for Ed and Doris Zeiser. The Levittown couple were one of 40 couples across Long Island who were honored at a celebration of love and marriage for more than 50 years. Sponsored by The Knot, the wedding resource that has helped more than 25 million couples plan their wedding day, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary and the TODAY show, the Zeisers and other couples shared tips on life and marriage and how to make love last past the golden anniversary.
“What better way to celebrate love than with couples who know a thing or two about cultivating a successful marriage?” said Kristen Maxwell Cooper, deputy editor of The Knot. “Together, The Knot and TODAY invited couples to relive their wedding day, or in some cases for couples who could only afford a city hall wedding, have their very first wedding experience. It was truly a day to remember.”
During the Sweetheart Dance, couples renewed their vows, danced, and enjoyed food from Cipriani 25 Broadway in Manhattan and wedding cake from Ana Parzych Cakes. Six of the couples who are married for more than 50 years, including the Zeisers, were featured in Ingrid Michaelson’s music video, “Little Romance.”
When it came time to search for couples, The Knot and TODAY sent out a casting call in search of local area couples married 50 years or more to join for the event.
“Our teams were blown away by the number of positive responses. So many couples were eager to share their love with us,” said Cooper. “Love and marriage are the foundation of everything The Knot stands for—we provide our couples with all the resources and connections to local vendors they need to inspire, plan and book their weddings. And after 20 years in the business, we’ve learned a lot about love and making it last long after ‘I do.’”
Couples brought along their wedding photos and albums, sharing memories of their day years ago. Perhaps the most special moment of the day was when each couple, including the Zeisers, reaffirmed their love with a vow renewal, once again stating the promise they made decades ago to their beloved.
The Zeisers were married on November 15, 1948. After almost 68 years of marriage, they have a pretty good idea of what it takes to make it work.
“I grew up in Queens Village and she grew up in St. Albans,” said Ed, who is a World War II vet. “We were looking for an apartment, but I saw the advertisement for Levittown. We had been living with my father-in-law and you needed $100 for a deposit,” added Doris.
The Zeisers sold the refrigerator to Ed’s father and used the money for a down payment. They bought a traditional Levitt house in 1950.
“We are original owners. We saw it being built and we used to go out every Sunday and see how far they had gone, it was great,” said Doris. “We have seven kids and had to put additions on the house,” added Ed.
When asked about their wedding day, Doris said that in those days, they didn’t have the big fancy events that weddings have become today.
“It was also my parent’s 25th wedding anniversary, so they rented the downstairs of one of the organization halls. My mother made potato salad, I peeled the potatoes and Ed cut the ham that was donated,” said Doris. “We had a band and we danced and we had a great time.”
As for the key to a long and prosperous marriage, Doris said it’s all about one virtue: patience.
“Patience, a lot of love and don’t do things in a hurry…think about them before you make decisions,” she said.
“You’re going to have a fight about something, but it’s not the end of the world. Ask yourself, does it pass the ‘so what?’ test?” said Ed. “You can make or break a marriage on that basis. That’s what we’ve always gone by and it really works. Take everything in its right perspective.”
Upon hearing about the sweetheart dance, the Zeiser’s son entered their names.
“We love to dance and it sounded like a lot of fun to do,” said Doris. “We were looking forward to the experience. A fancy wedding reception and it’s a lovely venue, can’t ask for more than that.”
Before their 50th anniversary, the Zeisers went to Hawaii and cruised the islands. When they returned, they found that their children bought them a beautiful grandfather clock. The couple also renewed their vows in church and invited family and friends back to the house for champagne, when another surprise was in store.
“I kept thinking ‘where was everyone?’ I invited everyone for champagne and we were supposed to have a family dinner but it turned out to be a surprise party that our seven kids threw for us,” said Doris.
On love and staying together, the couple said that it does take work and a lot of communication.
“Couples break up today over something ridiculous and even then you can always find a common ground on anything,” said Ed. “I’m not getting my way, she isn’t getting her way, jointly find a compromise.”
“Think before you jump,” added Doris. “The only thing we ever argued about was the children…five boys and two girls. I was too easy and he wanted to be strict.”
Ed stressed that it is also important to try and make everything pleasant.
“They say never hang around with people who are downers,” he said. “We go on two cruises a year and we have quite a few of the crew who we keep in touch with. It’s a lot of fun.”
As for their favorite date spot, the lovebirds enjoy going to the Oak Chalet in Bellmore, where Ed, who loves to sing, performs with the accordionist.
“The kids and dogs are gone and it was a little lonely at first, but we made our own life together and it’s nicer than it was before,” said Doris.
