The Enquirer’s Sunday paper carried a heartwarming story reminding us that true love is both timeless and ageless.
Martin Bennett of Mason and Dolly Shields of Park Hills struck up a friendship 60 years ago when they were in their 20s. Bennett and Ed Shields, Dolly’s husband, worked together at Crane Co. in Cincinnati. Martin and wife Wanda became fast friends with the Shields. The two couples traveled and socialized together. The Bennetts went on to have four children, and the Shields had eight.
Through moves and relocations, the two couples remained close and shared both life’s joys and sorrows. Ed Shields died in 1989, followed by Wanda Bennett ten years later. Bennett lost two children and, in 2008, Shields lost a son.
Last year, the two friends began spending time together, reminiscing about the old days and enjoying each other’s company. And, it wasn’t long before love bloomed.
“We found that we were having such a good time when we were together, we missed each other when we were apart,” said Shields. “So when he asked me to marry him, I said yes.”
“We are not exactly spring chickens,” Bennett said. “We want to spend our twilight years with happiness and make them truly golden.”
The couple are set to marry on Feb. 12, the Saturday before Valentine’s Day. The attendants will be the couple’s children, who range in age from 45 to 61, their 21 grandchildren and 5 great – grandchildren. They will reside in Mason.
