February 8, 2025 Issue, Page 11 of 16

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Quality, affordable healthcare right here, right now. ™ 501 South L.L. Males Avenue Cheyenne, Okla. 73628 Roger Mills 580-497-3336 Meniorial Hospital www.rmmhonline.com Moser Equgmont Bustor Rural Heath Ci "EmergencyMedica Services Latest in Tecnology 64 sew Teh ever na Upto ate manger Rescue attr Imaging “Mos! important Cheyenne, Oia. 73628 “anepraton Sac r= UvSeve se0ay7 009 * Pa Love in Every Season: Stories of Valentine's oy LOVE IN EVERY SEA- SON: STORIES OF VAL- ENTINE’S DAY THAT PROVE IT’S NEVER TOO LATE FOR LOVE Every year, Americans pur- chase over 58 million pounds of chocolate and around 250 million roses for Valentine's Day. The holiday, celebrated with grand gestures and ex- travagant gifts, is one of the most popular days for cou- ples to express their love. But for the Herndons of Elk City, married for 45 years, it wasn't 250 million roses that made their first Valentine’s Day to- gether special—it was just one. Donnie spent more than 30 years working in the oil field, a demanding job that often kept him away from home during holidays. Asa result, the Hern- dons never spent a Valentines Day together until their 39th year of marriage. They re- member that day fondly. “What made it so special was one simple rose,’ they shared, “It wasn't about the gift—it was about the thought, the love, and the fact that we Morgans could finally share that day to- gether after all those years” together, have experienced the in high school, reconnected ‘Their story is a reminder holiday in ways both joyful through Facebook later in life and unconventional. and rekindled their friendship. that it’s not the size or price of The Ritters recall one Valen- They married on Valentine’ the gesture that matters, but the meaning behind it. tines Day spent at Fort Sill in Day in 2015 and say the past Lar Lawton while Lonny served in the Oklahoma National 10 years have been the best of their lives. ers a A TALE OF TWO LOVE Guard. “We went to see *The ‘Their story is a testament to STORIES Bucket List* at the movies, the fact that love has no age For the Herndons and an- other local couple, Lonny and and I still love that film,” they limit and that it’s never too late Chasity Ritter of Elk City, Val- apart,Another said. year, they were to embrace joy and compan- chee entine’s Day has been celebrat- with Lonny stationed in ionship. ed in many different ways over Kuwait. But its not always about THE TRUE MEANING ben mated 5 r FDIC Equal Housing le the years. While the Herndons only recently began sharing 2022romance. the “Valentine's Day OF VALENTINE’S DAY wasn't exactly roman- While Valentines Day is the day, the Ritters, celebrat- ing their 29th Valentine's Day tic? they laughed, “but it was a time for roses, chocolates, memorable—Lonny had a and heartfelt cards—more colonoscopy!” than 145 million cards are PRESIDENTS’ DAY SALE FEBRUARY 5-17 Their most special Valen- exchanged annually—its the tines Day, however, came in quiet acts of love that often 2019, when their only grand- matter the most. daughter, Annie, was born on For the Herndons, love February 13th. Though com- means laughter. “We laugh plications required Annie to be constantly, without stop,” transferred to OU Children’s they said. “That's been our Hospital, the Ritters were able secret—finding joy in the lit- Select Ace® Best Paint Rollers, Paint to hold her for the first time on tle things.” Brushes nt crn & Trayen Sets" in fog oer Valentines Day—a moment For the Ritters, its about they will always treasure. showing love every day. “Val- entine’s Day is nice, but it’s the NEVER GIVE UP ON love you show all year in sim- LOVE ple ways that mean the most,” Valentine’s Day is also a they said, recalling how Lonny time to celebrate love that warmed up the car and drove stands the test of time—and Chasity to work on a snowy even love that finds its way morning. back. Charles and Carolyn And for the Morgans, it’s a Morgan, family members of reminder that love is worth the Ritters, are proof that it’s waiting for—and worth fight- never too late to find happi- ing for. ness. At the ages of 75 and As the Herndons wisely 77, the couple will celebrate said, “No matter what hap- their 10th wedding anniver- pens, fight, fight, fight, and sary this Valentine's Day. never give up on your rela- The Morgans, who first met tionship” HTERIOR FesHEAL CLARK* MAG NOLIA KENSINGTON \§ HOME wajewelets HLOCKING PAINT & PRIMEF retro, ate sit rh ——4a 124 S. Main Street « Elk City, OK 73644 580.225.1402 ‘Teo asegten sued caremay cota lner al cto pabtas esedonaelnoerasceonmode sdtana comet andmbing etapa re pce Se eae dale ipa Sh at ito cntphe Rs) i each bar ontrecom t poe drton CHECK OUT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE FOR VALENTINE'S DEALS @PAGE JEWELERS February Presidents Day Paint Sale AMT 11250216, 01, Versions: CA, DS, FN, NR, NW, $O, TR.