When John Brooks met the girl who would eventually become his wife, he said he had to fight off some other guys to get to date her.
But 68 years later, he said it was worth it to be with his true love, Nina.
The couple who grew up and lived most of their lives in Armstrong, Missouri, in Howard County, now live at Primrose Retirement, just outside the Jefferson City limits off of Old Lohman Road. Their daughter Connie Walk is from California so the Brooks moved down a few years ago to be near her and her grandchildren.
John, who will be 88 next month, and Nina, who will be 87 later this year, started dating back when they were freshmen in high school in 1943.
John said they did break up for a while, but got back together in their junior year and ended up getting married in December 1948.
"When we went out, we'd go to the movies and it was 50 cents to get in," John said. "Gas cost 15 cents a gallon. I didn't have a car, but her Dad had one so we'd use it and he paid for the gas."
One of the first times John got to meet Nina she was playing the piano. That was something she would do for many more years, often playing at the church she and John would attend in Armstrong.
John played center field on a semi-pro baseball team for a while in Armstrong before being injured and going on to work for 34 years for MoDOT.
After the couple retired, the couple moved down to California to be near Connie and spent time watching their grandchildren playing a variety of sports.
"They went to as many as they could," Connie said. "They didn't want to miss a thing."
They were able to keep up with their grandchildren's events up until a few years ago when declining health kicked in.
When asked if he had any advice for couples about staying together for a long time, John said he didn't think he had any or if he did nobody would pay attention.
But the answer may have come from Connie. Nina has Alzheimer's and while she can get around without assistance, she wouldn't be able to stay in the apartment without the attention John gives.
"When we got the diagnosis, we were ready to move her into a place. But he wouldn't let her go," Connie said.
"He gave up his freedom to be with her, and that's how he wanted it."