Joe and Helen Auer from Ohio State in the United States shared an amazing and moving love story. They lived a long and challenging, but at the same time, happy life in marriage, extending it for 73 years.
During that time, they became parents to ten children, saw their grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and even had the chance to meet their first great-granddaughter.
Their story began when they made vows at St. Lawrence Church in Cincinnati in 1941.
Soon after, their first child, Barry, was born, and while waiting for their daughter, Helen sent a photo of her son and newborn Judith to her husband, who was fighting in Europe.
Joe always carried this photo with him, which over time had yellowed, and his children found it in his wallet.
The Auer couple went through war, financial difficulties and losses, but according to their children, they overcame the hardships, always supported each other and always found reasons to laugh.
They cherished their family and considered their meeting a great success. Even when they disagreed, they tried to listen to each other and work on their relationship.
When Helen, aged 94, died, Joe came to say goodbye, and after kissing his wife, he asked to be called home. He managed to live without Helen for only a few days.
The couple’s children knew that their father could not survive even one night without their mother. A few months earlier, the man had celebrated his hundredth birthday.
The couple decided to organize a farewell ceremony at Saint-Laurent Church, the same place where their family history began 73 years ago.
