Utah couple shares secrets to 65-year marriage ahead of Valentine’s Day

As Valentine’s Day approaches, a Utah couple celebrating 65 years of marriage is sharing the simple values they believe helped their love stand the test of time.

Gordan and Joann Westover, who married in 1961, recently took part in a newlywed-style game at their retirement community to see how well they still know each other after decades together. While not every answer matched perfectly, their connection was clear.

Joann says one key to their lasting relationship is avoiding unresolved conflict. She recalled that they never went to bed angry and didn’t have the kind of frequent arguments some couples experience. From the beginning, she said, she simply liked him — and that feeling never faded.

Gordan still remembers the day they met at a college in California, a moment that sparked a lifelong partnership filled with shared experiences and mutual support. Both say their relationship has been built on trust, appreciation, and a willingness to care for each other’s needs.

Their advice for younger couples is straightforward: stay committed and keep loving each other through every stage of life.

More than six decades after saying “I do,” the Westovers say their relationship is still rooted in friendship, support, and a shared sense of adventure — proof that lasting love can grow stronger with time.

Explore: NBCPalmSprings.com, where we are connecting the Valley.