THESE days, we usually hear about couples breaking up or divorcing. But true love that endures still exists.
Virginia Barto was 20 years old when she first met Karl Oscar Tudela Reyes in January 1971.
She had just started working at Bank of America whose Saipan branch operations manager was Karl, a future Rotary Club of Saipan president and CNMI House member.
“I knew from the start that he was the one. He was very kind and respected. He was also very handsome, but he blushed whenever the female clerks greeted him,” Virginia recalled.
“I knew that he would be my soul mate. The way he acted, his politeness and courteousness, I told myself, ‘This is the man I have been praying for.’”
Eventually, they started having friendly conversations.
“He visited me at our house, and we started to talk in front of my parents and brother,” Virginia said.
Six months later, while they were having dinner, Karl told her parents that he wanted to marry her, and he was seeking their blessings.
She said her mother was “shocked” and asked Karl why he wanted to marry Virginia who was a “spoiled brat who doesn’t know any house chores.”
Karl told her parents that he would teach Virginia all the things she had to learn and that he would be patient with her.
“It seems too fast,” Virginia said. “We were just six months into courtship when we got married but now we are 52 years in this marriage and still getting stronger,” she added.
A God-fearing man
Virginia said Karl fulfilled his promise to her parents.
“He was very patient with me. He taught me how to cook rice though there was a time I accidentally burned it and the whole kitchen almost got burned as well,” she added.
She said she never heard Karl complain and had, throughout the years, remained an honorable and respectable man of few words.
She said eventually Karl hired a housekeeper to help her with the housework and in taking care of their four children.
“He gave me everything that I needed, and he provided well for our family,” Virginia said.
She said her husband is a God-fearing man who always put God first in their decision-making and even when they are having an argument.
“There were times when we disagreed, but we never let the sun go down in disagreement. We never slept angry at each other,” she added.
Although Karl constantly traveled to the mainland U.S. to attend bank meetings, Virginia said he was a devoted father.
“He prioritized the kids. He took them out and played football with them. He is just an amazing person and dad,” she added.
She said in their household, their kids learned how to pray and entrust everything they do to God.
“We also went to church together,” Virginia added.
She recalled a time when she wanted to spank her children, but Karl said no.
“He is always patient even with the children. They learned about God because of him. I have known God because of him,” Virginia said.
Now she is in her mid-70s, and Karl is older and frail, but she remains in love with her husband.
“He has taken care of me before. It is my time to take care of him,” she said. “I look forward to more blessed days with him and I am just thankful to the Lord that he is still with me.”
Love’s foundation
Virginia and Karl believe that for love to last, it should be built on a strong Godly foundation.
A couple must respect and trust each other, she said.
“Trust is very important in any kind of relationship. Without it, the relationship will not work. Let the other person do what he or she wants like spending time with friends, and give your full trust that everything is well,” Virginia said.
She said Karl used to go out with friends, but she never nagged him about it. Whenever he came home, Karl would tell Virginia about his day.
“Respect should be there. Don’t nag each other. Honor each other,” she added.
“God should always remain the foundation and anchor of a relationship,” she added.
Virginia said she always looks back on their wedding day with a smile. “I had lived a good married life and I am thankful to Karl and God for that.”
Virginia and Karl Reyes on their wedding day in 1971.
Virginia and Karl Reyes mark their 50th wedding anniversary in 2021.
