Celebrating I'On Couples Whose Love Stands the Test of Time
Group Photo at Westlake Ampitheater
Barbara & Tim Fowler
Tim and I met in 1975 at Wake Forest Law School. We married in 1979 and have had a great life. I love his sense of humor and how he takes care of me and the family. Tim loves books and dinosaurs. I love MahJongg, Canasta, and Zumba!
Chuck & Rosemarie Gelber
Forty-three years of being married have taught Chuck and me many things. One of the most important things is to keep laughing together, sharing the humor found in the never-ending variety of experiences that life brings you. This photo of some family and friends relaxing with us in I'On sums it up. With a chuckle, Rosemarie Gelber
Bob and Cheryl Pitts
We were married on May 31, 1968. It’s been a full, wonderful 57 years, magical at times.
Alistair & Caroline Ballantine
Alistair and I moved from Chelsea in London to downtown Chicago in January 1978. Alistair had run Abercrombie & Kent in London (operating safaris on the ground in East Africa). The business expanded all over the world. We moved to Greenwich, CT, and raised our three sons there. The eldest lives in London, the other two live in New York. Needless to say, Alistair traveled constantly, so I was raising them alone much of the time, but the opportunities to travel and see the world were endless, and I feel incredibly fortunate. We were members of Yeaman’s Hall Golf Club for twenty-five years, which obviously brought us to Charleston, which we love. We are celebrating 50 years of marriage this year.
Jim & Lori Feehan
We have always had complementary but very different styles. They have made us each better people, but fractious at times. Our goals and values got us over the rough spots and as we’ve aged, we appreciate each other more and more. There’s no secret here but a commitment to each other and abiding love.
Ron & Marylin Follmann
Long-lasting marriages are built on a foundation of mutual respect, open communication, and shared commitment. It definitely helps if you are best friends and enjoy one another's company. (If not, there is always golf and Mahjong.) For those still single, remember that choosing your spouse is the most important decision of your life. Ensure you share common values and goals.
Craig & Debbie Ferrer
Debbie and Craig Ferrer will be celebrating their 45th wedding anniversary on July 11th. They met in college while attending Ohio Wesleyan University.
Bill & Sally Raver
In 1968, we met on a college trip to Europe. The group of 33 consisted of 3 guys and 30 girls. We had a young and crazy guide who grew up in Greece and loved to party. During the long summer of traveling, Sally and Bill became good friends. Bill was often charged with protecting the 'women', especially in the university towns we visited. On our return home, we dated mostly long-distance (by snail mail and telephone). After 18 months, we got engaged when Bill showed up unexpectedly at Sally's apartment door in Florida, where she was teaching. Neither of us had met the other's parents, who proved to be very supportive. We believe our relationship works because we have the same values. As challenges come along, we work toward a mutual solution. This was especially true while raising our two sons in Connecticut—and now, mentoring our four grandchildren. We celebrated our 55th anniversary this past August. The journey has been fun and very rewarding.
Dennis & Jan Laabs - married 54 years
We dated in high school and married our last year of college. Crazy, right? Fortunately, it worked. Growing up in the same small town, we shared the same values and basically grew up and old together. Raising two children was also a bonding experience. We’ve never stopped laughing.
We dated in high school and married our last year of college. Crazy, right? Fortunately, it worked. Growing up in the same small town, we shared the same values and basically grew up and old together. Raising two children was also a bonding experience. We’ve never stopped laughing.
Fred & Lori De Filippo
June of 1970 - 55 years later - still in love - growing stronger as we grow older together - hand in hand, heart to heart.
Tim & Janet Shaughnessy
After 40 years together, we’ve learned that a lasting marriage isn’t about perfection — it’s about commitment, teamwork, and grace. Forgiveness is essential, as is having a short memory for the small things that don’t really matter. Choosing to focus on each other’s strengths rather than shortcomings helps tremendously. No one is ever that picture-perfect partner, but when you respect each other, stand united no matter what, and always have each other’s back, you build something stronger than idealized romance. We’ve tried to build a partnership grounded in loyalty. Thankful that we may get frustrated and not agree, but we get over things pretty quickly and forget what we were mad about. Next thing you know, we’re asking where we’re going for dinner!
Allen & Kathy Haas
Staying married (or together) for a long time requires the willingness to compromise. Having a space of your own and some time for yourself is beneficial to allow some perspective on things. It also really helps to have a good sense of humor and a short memory.
Dick & Joyce Stifel- September 14, 1968
First comes love, then comes marriage with a vow, a commitment. Next, it requires the maturity to understand that life together will not always be sunshine and roses. Additionally, it thrives on mutual respect. It endures on shared values and goals. Finally, include a good sense of humor.
Roy & Karen Rathbun
The Rathbuns have been married for 51 years. We have quite different personalities - Roy is calmer and reflective, while Karen tends to be impulsive and emotional. These differences balance our relationship. We greatly value a sense of humor and take joy in making the other laugh, even when events occasionally make it difficult.
We share similar attitudes and values, which makes for a peaceful co-existence and lowers the stress level that is so prevalent in today’s world. We believe strongly in effective communication with each other and our extended family.
Lastly, love and affection for the people we were and the people we grew to become still exist, and for that we are grateful. All in all, a very rewarding and enjoyable 51 years.
Don & April Gordon
We met in 1983 on a Fulbright to Cameroon in West Africa and found we had much more in common than just our pursuits as University professors. We were married in 1984 and, along with two adult children, continue to share and grow our multiple interests, the recipe for a life together that is never boring. One of the greatest of those interests is a love of nature and the outdoors, which is why we chose this photo.
Bruce & Maggie Kinney
Maggie and Bruce Kinney will be married 45 years on March 5. A second marriage for both. Bruce brought two sons into the marriage, while Maggie brought airline passes! They added a daughter and lived happily in Chicago until moving to the Lowcountry 20 years ago, and still loving one another and the neighborhood!
Tommy & Bonnie Hartnett
Bonnie and Tommy Hartnett celebrated 60 years of marriage on Dec. 18, 2025. Dwell on the good, forget the bad.
Bill Rambo & Lydia Engelhardt
Ours is a classic romance story! Bill was a widowed Professor of Surgery at MUSC, and Chief of Surgery at Charleston Memorial Hospital, and Lydia was an ObGyn Resident at MUSC (and planning to return to New England once her training was completed.) We met briefly, in his office, when Lydia ran a quick errand of mercy for her brilliant but disorganized Chief Resident. (In retrospect, we found each other “attractive” !). Bill’s devoted O.R. team, whom he’d worked with for decades, decided we should date, and they got to work on Bill. I was literally '’swept off my feet”! We married 8 1/2 months later (and I never did get to move back to New England !!).
As physicians in 2 different specialties, and “Town vs. Gown”, our paths rarely crossed professionally: I was in private practice in Mt Pleasant, and Bill was on the Faculty at MUSC downtown. We loved our work, but rarely, if ever, saw each other during our long work days. After 16 years, we left those roles behind and began volunteering at mission hospitals around the world (mostly on the African continent). It was in those medically underserved and always difficult settings that we finally worked together, sometimes assisting each other in the O.R. Despite the stresses, heartbreaks, and long hours doing that work, we loved the opportunity to work together as partners. And now we’re in our “second retirement”, able to enjoy all that I’On, the area and family visits have to offer. We have loads of wonderful memories.
As physicians in 2 different specialties, and “Town vs. Gown”, our paths rarely crossed professionally: I was in private practice in Mt Pleasant, and Bill was on the Faculty at MUSC downtown. We loved our work, but rarely, if ever, saw each other during our long work days. After 16 years, we left those roles behind and began volunteering at mission hospitals around the world (mostly on the African continent). It was in those medically underserved and always difficult settings that we finally worked together, sometimes assisting each other in the O.R. Despite the stresses, heartbreaks, and long hours doing that work, we loved the opportunity to work together as partners. And now we’re in our “second retirement”, able to enjoy all that I’On, the area and family visits have to offer. We have loads of wonderful memories.
Don & Peg Higgins
We met on a blind date in Chicago back in 1983 and learned we had similar interests. We both worked in financial services and loved international travel. We had two pre-nuptial agreements. Peg agreed to get certified as a scuba diver, and Don agreed to spend the Thanksgiving holidays with the FitzGibbons Clan. Once these conditions were met, we married at the Alice Mallar Chapel at Northwestern University on May 4, 1985. The photo was taken on a trip to Alaska in August 2023.
Phil & Diane Ayers
We’ve been married now for 55 years…WOW ! We’ve always worked together as a team and are each other’s best friends. One of the joys in recent years is getting to enjoy our grandchildren together! We are so grateful for the gift of time and each other.
Tommy & Etta Connolly
Well, when you exchange vows, you sign up for the long haul. You create a family and a family unit worth nurturing and preserving, a foundation to stand on. Don’t forget it!
Mark & Lori Poerio
In 1980, 46 years ago, we were married in the small town of Groton, New York. After four children and eight grandchildren, we settled in I’On to help our youngest daughter open FREEDOM STUDIO.
Advice?? Perseverance!!!! And that is exactly why we found the perfect street in Mt. Pleasant!
HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY and LOVE TO ALL!
HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY and LOVE TO ALL!