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Couple, married 87 years share their secrets for a happy marriage

Indian centenarians declared the world's longest married couple

Eighty-seven years ago, Karam and Katari Chand met in their native land of Punjab, India through an arranged marriage. They're still together and are waiting for the Guinness Book of World records to proclaim them as officially having the world's longest lasting marriage. Karam says "My trick is to make Katari laugh. I like to tell jokes and make her smile. Being funny is my way of being romantic."

One of the couple's secrets to a long and successful marriage is 'Always be faithful: always be faithful to one another. When you get married you commit to devoting your life to that person and even when the times are tough, don't believe that the grass is greener...because it isn't.'

One of the couple's secrets to a long and successful marriage is 'Always be faithful: always be faithful to one another. When you get married you commit to devoting your life to that person and even when the times are tough, don't believe that the grass is greener...because it isn't.'

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - The couple have eight children and twenty eight grandchildren together. There is an age difference - Karam is 107, and his wife is a relatively youthful 100, but that hasn't stopped their long and successful partnership.

One of the secrets to their long and happy marriage is that the key to success is looking after each other in every way possible.

"I have been told laughing makes you live longer... my wife is still alive so it must have worked! I love her so much and I want to spend another 80 years by her side," Karam says.

The couple now lives in Bradford and are both looked after by one of their children. 
Katari says that eating right is very important. "When I was young I used to make him a nice fresh meal every night. We are vegetarian so I brought lots of fresh vegetables and made sure he was eating healthy food.

"Health is very important and I wanted to look after him so we could grow old together. Some would say it has worked!

Karam does a word search every day to keep his mind alive. He believes that spending plenty of time together has helped their marriage last.

"We have not spent any long span apart in over 50 years. We go everywhere together - up until a few years ago we went to India every year with the family and for all family weddings we make sure we get to stay together," he says.

The couple's marriage has lasted nearly five years longer than that of the current Guinness World Record holders and the couple is in the process of getting confirmation from the company that they will be named as the new record holders.

Both now share their five steps to a long and successful marriage:

1. "Always be faithful: always be faithful to one another. When you get married you commit to devoting your life to that person and even when the times are tough, don't believe that the grass is greener...because it isn't."

2. "Look after each other as best you can: if you want to grow old with your partner you have to make sure you always look after each other in every shape and form. Whether it is making a meal, holding your partners hand when crossing the road or being a shoulder to cry on when something goes wrong."

3. "Be tolerant of each other: everyone has bad habits or annoying traits. Whether it is leaving a towel on the floor or listening to the radio too loudly, you have to tolerate each other and realize that no one is perfect."

4. "Listen to each other: the most important thing in a relationship is to listen. People don't listen anymore because they are too busy with work and TV. Listen to your loved ones' problems and concerns every day, because then you can help them overcome them and be happier. Also, it brings you closer together because you are the first port of call for each other when there is an issue in your life."

5. "Follow social and religious values. Respect, care, cherish, love and value your partner - always treat them how you would want to be treated yourself."

© 2012, Catholic Online. Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM.

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Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention:
The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

Keywords: Marriage, Guinness Book of World records, Longevity, long marriage, secrets

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1 - 2 of 2 Comments

  1. violet mugoya sejjoba
    7 months ago

    That is a very touching story and it has helped me learn more on how to handle my marriage thank you and may the good lord bless you all

  2. Lisa
    7 months ago

    What a beautiful and inspiring couple. God has blessed them!

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