If you saw Eddie and Allan Polacheck sitting hand in hand on the couch in their Glendale apartment, you would think they were courting like high school sweethearts.
Truth is they will celebrate 73 years of marriage in February. She is 95 and he is 96 and they are still “in love!”
The couple met when they were students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1927 when Eddie was a freshman. They married in 1931.
“The first time I saw her, she had come back to her room from gym class and was wearing bloomers. I was going to ask her roommate for a date, but she looked so cute in her gym clothes, I asked her instead,” Allan recalled.
He added that he knew right away she was the one for him. “But she was tough to get.”
Eddie chimed in, “It took me longer because I had to be sure. After my parents and a cousin approved, that confirmed him for me. And, after all these years, Al is still for me and I am for him.”
Acknowledging that life is more complicated today, they expressed sadness over what Allan called the “ever increasing divorce rate,” which has touched their family.
So, to what do they attribute their successful marriage? They agree (no surprise) that couples must communicate with each other.
“When you have a spat, you have to resolve it. And then have a kiss,” Allan said.
Eddie added, “It’s natural to disagree, but you can’t let it go on. We’ve had a few over the years, but mostly we think alike. I don’t think much has changed in our marriage in all these years. We respect each other and are there for each other.”
Still joking and teasing each other, both are in pretty good shape physically and are sharp as can be mentally. They still play bridge and Allan exercises twice a week.
“It’s tough to outlive most of your friends. We are so thankful to have each other. I feel so blessed,” she said.
Allan, who practiced law for 62 years, still reads legal publications and banters with some of his attorney friends. “Though I do have a yen to practice, the only advice I give is to Eddie,” he said with a smile.
Allen is familiar with no-fault divorce laws in Wisconsin and believes divorces are too easy to get. “I think young couples don’t communicate enough with each other and don’t have a strong commitment to marriage,” he said.
“And, I think many argue about money,” he continued. “I made $25 a week and paid $35 a month in rent when we got married. And we managed to live within our means. Debt can be a killer. Couples have to work at their marriage, and not just settle by getting a divorce.”
“For a marriage to work,” Eddie added, “there has to be a lot of give and take — a willingness to give to each other.”
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