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Sometimes love arrives with a big bang! Other times love awakens the heart softly and slowly over a period of time.
Around Valentines Day, the young and single wonder about love that is faithful and lasting -- love that sticks like glue, binding two hearts for a lifetime.
All people want it; lucky ones have it. There must have been a talent for it in the McDaniel family's gene pool because, as of 2006, Orangeburg natives Thyas, Marvin and Bobby McDaniel have all been married 50 years.
"Love can come unexpectedly, but can last forever."
While serving in the U.S. Air Force, Thyas McDaniel flew B-29's during the Korean Conflict. The four-engine heavy bomber propeller aircraft, he says, could reach true air speed (350 miles per hour) and was capable of flight up to 40,000 feet.
When the young soldier returned to the United States, he lovingly embraced his family and the slow pace of country life. Later, at his great-aunt's wake, Thyas met Gladys Colson. After introduction and a brief conversation, Thyas and Gladys sensed a 'liking' for each other.
"Later, we went on a blind date with my brother, Marvin, and Gladys' cousin, Bertie Dell," Thyas said. "Then we started double-dating, and our courtship continued about a year. During that time we got to know each other better and fell in love."
Thyas admits that he, the brave one who had soared above the clouds, was 'scared to death' to ask Gladys' father for her hand in marriage but he did it. And after he got permission, he went shopping for an engagement ring.
"After a double-date at Christmastime, I asked Gladys to be my wife," he remembers. "I knew in my heart, she was the woman God intended for me to marry."
Gladys said she wasn't expecting a marriage proposal that night but was overjoyed. The couple exchanged vows in an old-fashioned ceremony at the McDaniel family home on February 18, 1956, just two-days before Thyas' 25th birthday.
"We decided early on to work hard at keeping our marriage strong and not let our differences keep us from being happy," Gladys explains. "I am a homemaker at heart, and Thyas loves to go to ballgames, but that hasn't been a problem for us."
Thyas and Gladys are the parents of three sons. Now that he is retired form the US Postal Service, they both enjoy spending time with their eight granddaughters and one grandson.
"I am so thankful that Gladys still loves me after 50 years of marriage," Thyas says. "I don't know if it's possible or not, but somehow I feel that I love her more today that I did on our wedding day. I truly believe love can last forever."
Demonstrate caring and compassion for one another.
Marvin McDaniel worked as a builder before his retirement. He was a planner and an organizer. The skilled carpenter used blueprints and dreams to fashion houses for families of all ages.
But houses aren't all Marvin's been good at planning.
Bertie Dell, Marvin's wife, says he was good at planning dates and outings also.
Times were very different 50 years ago, Marvin says, and good conversation took the place of the amusements and elaborate shopping malls popular today.
"We experienced both bad times and good times because of the war," he remembers. "Most people had to work very hard to make a living and we really appreciated the good and happy times that came along."
"Our first date was a blind date," Bertie Dell recalls. "From then on, Marvin and I always double-dated with Thyas and Gladys, and the four of us had a most enjoyable time. We went to the drive-in movies and the local hamburger dinette. For special times, we drove to the beach."
It was after a date one night that Marvin orchestrated his proposal to Bertie Dell. She says she didn't expect a proposal that night because nothing unusual had happened to make her suspicious.
"Marvin looked at me and said, 'I bought you a ring and I have it in my pocket,' she says. "Of course, I accepted and three months later, on May 6, 1956, we were married at the Knightsville Methodist church parsonage" .
Marvin said the love in his heart for his wife has remained strong, and he remains certain that Bertie Dell is the woman God created to be his wife.
"It is difficult to describe what love is," Marvin explains. "To love your sweetheart for 50 years or more is to experience the best qualities that life has to offer. Love is romance, affection, devotion and admiration. Love also includes being caring and compassionate to your spouse. Practicing all of these things, will lift a marriage up."
Bertie Dell says Marvin still plans dates just as he did when they first met. "We go to Maggie Valley and the beach a few times each year," she says. "And we still go out for hamburgers."
"Tell her you love her every night"
Bobby L. McDaniel, the youngest brother, also served in the Air Force. His tour of duty lasted from 1954 until 1958. It was the love of his wife, Melba, and his family that helped him through the difficult days and nights away from home.
In high school Bobby met Melba, who was a few grades behind him.
"I though she was beautiful," he says. " We courted about six months, and when I came home on leave, we got married."
Their wedding date was Dec. 22, 1956, so they recently celebrated their golden anniversary, but to Bobby, "it seems like yesterday I was holding her hand, asking her to be my wife."
Melba says Bobby demonstrates his love for her and their family in many ways, and his devotion makes her feel secure and happy.
"We enjoy spending time with our grandchildren and supporting them in their school and sports activities," she says. "But we also spend time as a couple. We go to the mountains in North Carolina and vacation at Myrtle Beach at least twice a year."
A good marriage, Bobby says, requires effort. He credits his parents, Nellie and Thyas McDaniel, Sr., with setting a good example.
"I never heard my parents speak harshly, and they also taught us the value of forgiveness," Bobby said.
Now that Bobby has retired after working 35 years at Albemarle, he and Melba spend as much time as possible with their four grandchildren and three great-grands. They enjoy cheering for their granddaughter, Tory, at ball games.
Bobby said a successful marriage is a blessing from the Good Lord not to be taken lightly.
"Every night, I thank God for blessing me with a Christian wife," he says. "And, every night, I kiss my wife and tell her how much I love her."
T&D Staff Writer Sonja Gleaton can be reached by email at sgleaton@timesanddemocrat.com. Discuss this and other stories on-line at TheTandD.com.