Special Feature

February 15th, 2007

Love Matches

Imagine 3,254 collective years of marriage. That’s what was bundled up at the Woman’s Club of Escondido Sunday, as Vivian Doering organized the second annual “Love Matches,” an event that brings together and honors those couples who have been married 50 years or more.

This year’s event easily surpassed last year’s inaugural get-to-gether with 55 couples compared to last year’s 35 couples.

And, with all these loving couples it was only natural that this Sunday afternoon featured the singing of several romantic standards. Pianist Dorothy Peterson joined the Doerings' sons on the violin as the crowd launched into songs that have stood the test of time ---- "All of Me," "It Had to be You" and "Let Me Call You Sweetheart." One special couple, Chuck and Pat Larrick, were serenaded by the crowd because Sunday was their 58th anniversary.

Vivian Doering, now a local attorney, was at one time a writer for the old Times Advocate, the precursor of today’s North County Times. At that time she would write anniversary stories. She noted it was seldom she would meet couples married over 50 years. Thus, today’s gathering of 55 couples was just awesome.

She and husband, Joe, have been married for 53 years. There were several couples attending on this special day that had been married for 60 and even 70 years.

Beach and Dorothy Hildreth (He’s 95, she’s 91 - married 70 years )	Lorraine and Dr. Bill Boyce 59 years
Joe and Vivian Doering 56 years	Lou and Dorothy Pauletto 59 years
Lorene and Doug Best 60 years	Omer and Margie Fuller 64 years
Donna and Walt Van Dam 53 years	Ruth and Bob Mangrum 54 years