Bill, 92, and Helen Cunningham, 86, who reside at Belmont Village Senior Living in Oak Park, will celebrate 70 years of marriage on Feb. 28. On Feb. 9, Bill Cunningham answered a few questions for the Oak Leaves.
Q: How did you two meet?
A: There was a park — we lived in the city. In 1946, I and two other fellas were walking toward the park, and Helen and a friend were walking away from the park. When we got opposite each other, we started talking, and eventually we talked them into walking back toward the park with us. She lived just on the other side of the street from me: I lived on the 4900 block, and she lived on the 5000 block of Chicago Avenue. There was a show almost directly across the street. I met her a few times at the show, and we got well-acquainted. We started going out together. She was 14 years old and I was 20, but she was very mature because she was taking care of her mother and her two brothers. We met in summer, and at Christmas, I gave her an engagement ring. … My buddies only gave us six to eight months; it’s been 70 years.
Q: Travel has been a special part of your marriage, yes?
A: We’ve not had too many disagreements. But one thing I’d say is never go to bed without solving your disagreements. And you have to eliminate some of the things: if she thinks it’s important, and I don’t think it’s important, something’s got to give a little. [laughs] I just think we’ve had a very good marriage.
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