As the most romantic holiday comes and goes again in 2024, I interviewed a married couple from Gordon, Rushville, and Hay Springs.
First of all, I want to personally thank each couple for taking the time to be interviewed and sharing about their marriage journey. The three couples are all at different stages in their marriage journey, with each being married for varying amounts of time.
And while each couple has taken unique paths to the specific points in their marriage they are at currently, all can provide great information and advice that each and everyone can utilize.
Dale and Karla Ruleau
The Ruleau’s were united in marriage on August 22, 1975. They have been married for 48 years with the 49th anniversary coming up here this August.
The pair met at a New Years Eve party in 1974. They were married in a five minute church wedding with Maid of Honor Connie Loosvelt Peterson and Best Man Dick Fankhauser by their sides. They renewed those vows on their 25th anniversary with both Connie and Dick present once again.
Karla says that she really appreciates when Dale makes her omelets on the weekend. He also threw her a pretty fun birthday bash for her 50th birthday as well.
Dale says that one of the most romantic things that Karla did for him was putting together a surprise Harley Birthday calendar for his 50th party.
One of the biggest challenges the couple faced was the loss of their daughter, Kyla Vincent, to breast cancer in 2013. From that loss the Ruleau’s learned to not take life for granted and it made their relationship stronger.
Some advice they can give to newlywed couple is to communicate, support one another, and enjoy activities together.
Mike and Karen Kreitman.
The Kreitman’s were originally going to tie the know on October 5, 2013 but they had to wait one extra day because of the Atlas Blizzard. So the pair made it official on October 6, 2013.
The Kreitman’s met in Rapid City at a fraternity fundraiser called “Cowboy Party.” The pair met at the party through a mutual friend and have been together ever since.
The couple works hard day to day to find ways to make each others day better. Whether it be picking up a favorite drink from Half Diamond Coffee, checking in during the day, or getting up early with the kiddos to let the other sleep in just a little bit longer.
Karen does note that Mike planned an entire surprise date weekend for their anniversary a few years back that included some time together, great food, and a helicopter ride through the Black Hills.
When it comes to challenges within the marriage, time for everything rises to the top.
Chasing kids to their respective events, demanding jobs, coaching, meetings, etc. they note it can be really easy to get lost in the shuffle.
Mike and Karen can bestow a bit of advice for couples who have taken the leap recently.
They note there is no reason to keep score against one another when you are working towards the same goal. Karen also notes that nobody is going to ever be the perfect spouse so forgive one another and extend each other grace.
Matt and Jessie Anderson.
Matt and Jessie Anderson were married on March 9, 2006. They will celebrate 18 years together next month.
The couple met when they were in school at Chadron State College. They dated for about 4 years before walking down the aisle.
Matt pulled a fast one on Jessie when he popped the question, slipping the engagement ring into a big bowl of ice cream.
When it comes to nice gestures within the marriage, Jessie notes that Matt does the little things like bringing home flowers or grabbing her favorite drink from the coffee shop.
Matt says that Jess lets him buy guns whenever he wants and she plans all the family trips and vacations. She tells him when and where and they take off.
When it comes to tough times, the couple notes a few miscarriages in the beginning of their marriage. But as the years go on the biggest challenges are getting caught up in their daily routines and making time for one another. They make it a priority to spend that quality time together growing as a couple.
Advice for new couples from the Anderson’s is as follows; do not overlook doing the little things for one another.
And one final piece of advice from Matt which all men can hold onto for the rest of their days: “If she says she wants something done, do it.”