Valentine couples recall a lifetime of love

Valentine's Day is special any given year. Who doesn't like a good love story? This year that "love story" is multiplied by three: three couples celebrating a combined 176 years of wedded bliss in two countries, on a lake and on an island. Adding to what is already a unique story, two of the six people are twin sisters who were married on the same day in a double ceremony. Now that's a Valentine's Day love story to celebrate.

Love at first sight
Patricia (Joan) and Linda Locke grew up in the village of Castalia on Grand Manan and remain there to this day as Joan Morse and Linda Elliott. Their lives are like the "two peas in a pod" one hears about on that "connection" twin siblings have with each other. That connection is still as strong today as it was when they were two little girls, doing everything as one, together on the island.
Joan and Linda were born 15 minutes apart on a Thanksgiving Day. Joan's future husband, Roger Morse, grew up in the village of North Head on Grand Manan and Linda's future husband, Jim Elliott, was born and raised in Houlton. All would graduate from Grand Manan High School with the exception of Elliott, who did so from Houlton High School.
Elliott would meet his future wife while attending Zion Bible College in Rhode Island. It would be Linda's senior year when fate struck. "I saw Jim walking toward my roommate and myself; I looked at her and said, 'Mary, someday he is going to make a wonderful husband for some gal.' After I graduated, Jim and I corresponded through letters. I attended his graduation in 1970, and at that time we took a walk to a nearby park. That is where we first kissed, and for me it sealed the deal." It would be a few more visits to Houlton before, just prior to Christmas, a ring made its way onto a finger.
Joan and Roger's first date began as a "surprise" from the very beginning, a surprise that has endured 52 years. "It was Joan's cousin who had me dial a phone number and ask for Patricia. Little did I know it was actually Joan I had made the date with. When I picked her up the next evening is when I found out it was that pretty redhead Joan Locke. We went on a ride to Swallowtail Lighthouse one summer evening. Halfway up the steps I couldn't resist, and so I had to kiss her." Joan agrees it was indeed love at first sight.
With the engagement of both couples by Christmas 1970 and the future brides being twin sisters, they of course decide to marry in a double ceremony on the island the following year in September. It was Linda who designed and made not only both of their wedding dresses but the entire wedding party's gowns for the big day.
"I was escorted down one aisle by our brother, and Joan was escorted down the other aisle by our Dad," says Linda. "After it was announced 'husbands and wives,' my sister and I exchanged a rose from the bouquet, a symbol of our love as sisters."
After graduating, Morse enlisted, serving one year in the armed services. Returning home he worked on a fishing boat and after that spent the next 35 years working for the Canadian government. Elliott was drafted and reported to Fort Dix the Sunday after the wedding for basic training. He would serve two years in Vietnam, returning home to Linda and their 8 month old daughter. They lived for a time in San Antonio as Jim finished his last months of service.
The two couples have called Grand Manan home for most if not all of their lives. Roger and Joan have two grown daughters and four grandchildren. Together, the sisters remain "two peas in a pod," nurturing each other and that of family. Joan, the songwriter, having written and recorded a number of gospel songs, also created a cooking show with her sister as co host called "Table Talk."
Today both families spend their time together outdoors enjoying nature, fishing, searching for sea glass and on a clear island night they watch for meteor showers. They continue to be involved in church activities and even assist each other with the daily chores and routine of an island life.
"We have been married for 52 years -- 53 counting our engagement -- and we can honestly say that each day is sweeter than the day before," says Joan. "One of our sayings at the end of the day is: 'It's been a good day at sea, sir.' Our advice to others is always put God first, and everything else will work out just dandy."
Linda adds: "Truly it is our faith in God and also our love for one another, our friends and family setting the example that love can be enduring and last a lifetime."
And of course both couples celebrate their wedding anniversaries together with friends, family and just about anyone who happens to be on the island. Joan is quick to remind, "The coffee pot is always on!"

A ring for Valentine's Day
For Alvin and Pat Hall, Valentine's Day holds a little something extra special to remember and celebrate. The Whiting couple, now married 72 years, were engaged on Valentine's Day back in 1951.
Pat fondly recalls their first date: "It was a very cold nine below zero night in Machias when Alvin asked me to a dance in 1950. He offered me a ride home, and I was happy to accept; it was so cold outside, and I lived across the bridge on Court Street. On the way home he asked me to go to a movie the next weekend, and I accepted." After that she says love was on the doorstep.
Alvin was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1951, but before his departure for basic training he proposed to Pat by giving her an engagement ring on Valentine's Day. It would be six months until Alvin would come home on leave and marry Pat.
Patricia (Pat) Munson, the oldest of four children, was born in Machias. Her family moved to Brewer and then East Machias for a short time, returning to Machias where she, cheerleader, band member and junior prom queen, graduated from Machias Memorial High School in 1951.
Alvin, the oldest of three children, was born in the neighborhood of Halls Mills in Whiting. He attended a one room schoolhouse with the same teacher all nine years. He then went to Washington Academy, where he excelled in baseball, basketball and was a member of the band under his father's instruction all four years before graduating in 1947.
During his years of service, Alvin and Pat traveled and lived in Alabama and South Carolina, eventually returning in 1953 to Maine, where they both took jobs in Lubec. Alvin worked at the American Can Company as a machinist, and Pat worked for Lubec Motor Sales as a bookkeeper.
Three years later they moved back to Whiting to build their home, start a family and become very active in the community and church. Alvin also began a construction and heating oil delivery company, H&S Construction, with Pat by his side as bookkeeper and the occasional passenger riding "shotgun" on his oil deliveries.
Four grown children later, the Halls are living life on Indian Lake surrounded by water and blueberry fields. It is here, Pat says, where what their life together is all about. "We've built what was to be a camp on Indian Lake, but it soon became our home. We love it here, as do our many friends and family members. We all enjoy the sunsets, sunrises and watching the loons." And the family grew. Today Alvin and Pat have seven grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and one great great grandson.
Pat says August is her favorite time of year. That month is particularly important for two reasons. The first is that it was all about the blueberries and the joy it was to have family come with their children so Pat and Alvin could teach them the work and passion involved in harvesting blueberries. The second reason is because this August, Alvin and Pat will celebrate their 73rd year together. "The Lord has truly blessed us, and we are thankful," says Pat.
Listen to any Valentine's Day story and one will forever find a common thread tethered to each and every one of them. That thread of course is love. And as the stories of love found by Joan and Roger, Linda and Jim and Alvin and Pat shine with a light both unique and enduring, it is the shared love between two people amidst place, past and a future not yet known that remains constant and is love eternal.