LAKE FOREST : Love Lights Way to 75th Anniversary

In an odd way, war had a lot to do with the lifelong love between Elmer and Margaret Carlson, who celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary Thursday afternoon.

The couple met on a dance floor in Braddock, Pa., in 1917, when many American men were preparing to fight in World War I.

Margaret, 96, remembers she was lucky just to get a male dance partner, especially one that moved so gracefully.

“I had a lot of women to beat out,” said Margaret, who has lived with her husband in Freedom Village since 1987. “I still do.”

World War II, however, proved heartbreaking. They lost two of their three children, Walt and Harry, on the battlefield. But the tragedy brought them closer together.

“There’s only one thing in my life that has hit me,” said Elmer, 95. “I lost both of my sons in World War II. It killed me.

“It made us closer, and we couldn’t part after that,” he added softly.

But on a sunny afternoon at Freedom Village, surrounded by about 100 friends and family members, including the Carlsons’ daughter, Thelma Hoffman, the couple reveled in their marriage that began three-quarters of a century ago in Cumberland, Md. With banners and balloons over their heads and a dozen roses at their feet, the seated couple were serenaded by a senior barbershop quartet.

The guests lined up to praise the pair for their commitment to each other. As many did, one well-wisher offered the couple many more happy anniversaries.

“Don’t say many more,” Margaret shot back. “That’s really overdoing it.”

Family members offered their congratulations as well.

“Grandma told me they lived by the Teddy Roosevelt philosophy--he spoke softly and she carried a big stick,” said grandson Mike Carlson, 49, who lives in Huntington Beach.

Even after 75 years, Margaret said there is still passion in their marriage.

“It’s always been a romantic relationship,” she said, winking. “It still is. Sometimes we shake hands before we go to bed, sometimes we kiss.”

While it wasn’t love at first sight, Elmer recalled it was pretty close.

“It didn’t take very long,” he said. “She’s a very nice girl and she’s been that way for 75 years. I can’t say enough about her.”

Though the couple married relatively young, they aren’t necessarily recommending it for today’s youth. While eating her special anniversary cake, Margaret cautioned her great-granddaughter Michelle Carlson about rushing into marriage. “Be careful who you pick as a life mate,” she said.

“Don’t worry,” replied the 26-year-old Huntington Beach physical therapist. “I won’t be doing that anytime soon.”

But Michelle’s brother, Craig Carlson, 22, has different ideas. He wants to get married soon, and when he does, he plans to take his great-grandmother’s marital advice.

“She told me years ago that you run a marriage like a business. Always do things on time,” he said.