Local couple shows you can never be too old to celebrate love

Valentine's Day can be a day to honor a significant other, celebrate yourself or spend time with family and friends. 

But to Charles and Rosalie Shields, it's a day to reflect on more than 70 years of companionship and love. 

"We love each other as much as we did when we first started dating," Rosalie said.

And to Charles, it doesn't feel like a day has passed since he first fell in love with Rosalie.

"I got out of the service -- I was in the Korean War -- just before Thanksgiving in 1954," Charles said of meeting his wife. "She was in school up in Maryville and she came home for Thanksgiving holiday."

Charles said he had a friend who knew Rosalie and went out with her a few times, before Charles called on her himself. 

"She was at a dance with one of my friends, and they were no longer together," Charles said. "I asked this friend of mine to check and see if she was still available, and she was!"

When asked what the secret to their marriage is, Charles was speechless, however Rosalie was quick to answer.

"Never go to bed crying," she said. 

Through the years, the Shields' love has grown their family to one son and daughter-in-law, two grandchildren and one great-grandchild.