Longest-married couple In America celebrate anniversary

John and Ann Betar, of Fairfield, celebrate their 80th anniversary at St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church, in Bridgeport, Conn. on Sunday, Nov. 25, 2012. The couple has been named the "longest married couple" in the U.S. for 2013 by Worldwide Marriage Encounter, a Christian marriage group based in San Bernardino, Calif. The Betars are scheduled to receive a plaque and other gifts from the group at their granddaughter's home in Fairfield on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Connecticut Post, BK Angeletti)

(WPXI) - America's longest-married couple is celebrating their 81st anniversary.

"They say the key to their lasting message is understanding and communication.

"You've learned to accept one another's ways of life. Agreements, disagreements."

John and Ann Betar eloped on Nov. 25, 1932 — fleeing because Ann's father wanted her to marry a man 20 years older than her. She was just 17; John was 21 and lived across the street.

Now Ann is 98 and John is 102. They were named the longest-married couple earlier this year by the group Worldwide Marriage Encounter.

The couple has been through some huge changes — from the Great Depression to wars to the Great Recession, and their family has changed, too. They lost both a daughter and their son to cancer. Their oldest daughter is 80 — and they have 14 grandchildren and 16 great grandkids.

Oh, and we heard from Ann on advice— but John's tips for a lasting marriage? Be content. And...

"We're always holdings hands. Yep."