DECEMBER 3rd - Never Too Old



On this day in 1984, Harry Stevens got married to Thelma Lucas. Neither one of them was famous; they weren’t star-crossed lovers, or part of a political union. But this was not your garden variety wedding. In 1984, Harry Stevens had been breathing air since 1881. He became the oldest groom in recorded history when, at 103 years young, he married spring-chicken Thelma Lucas (84) at the Caravilla Retirement Home in Wisconsin. (Record was later broken by 106 year old Chinese man). Harry proved that love isn’t just for the young and that you’re never too old keep living. He also helped reinforce the stereotype/belief/scientific fact that men age better than women as well as the double standard that it’s perfectly fine for a male to be romantically involved with a woman 19 years his junior, but if you flip that script and reverse it? People would have had pitchforks ready if the Thelma had been the cradle-robber. But the main thing is that these two love birds found each other in the twilight of their years to prove that extraordinary things can happen no matter age. ‘Cause age is just a number. Of course Harry Stevens died a week later when his heart gave out bringing the trash to the hallway to stop Thelma’s nagging, so on second thought, maybe you can be too old for marriage. I’m kidding. His heart actually gave out when he, well, when things got too vigorous for him. I’m kidding again. I have no idea when he died. But I’m sure it had nothing to do with the marriage, and more to do with the fact that Billy the Kid escaped from Lincoln County jail the year Stevens was born. In truth, he probably lived longer because Thelma gave him something to stick around for. Except that the marriage ended in divorce in 1986 because Harry's deadbeat 85 year-old son wouldn't get off his ass and find his own place. Kidding.

Point is you are never too old.

This day has been Marked.

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