Merced couple shares love story of almost 70 years

They say marriage is never easy, but if the love is real, it shouldn’t be too hard either – just ask Bobbie Ann and Robert Moyes, who have been married for 67 years.

The Merced couple believe there is no secret formula to making a marriage work; it either does or it doesn’t. Luckily for them, marriage has worked well.

Robert, 91, is a former dentist, and Bobbie Ann, 87, is a retired Latin teacher. They met at Memphis State University, now known as the University of Memphis, where they shared several classes together and Robert frequently asked Bobbie Ann for her notes.

“I don’t know if I liked that,” Bobbie Ann said with a giggle, but confessed she thought he was a handsome young man.

When they first met, he was on the basketball team at Memphis State and she was dating one of his teammates. When it did not work out between Bobbie Ann and his buddy, Robert stepped in. But there were no hard feelings. Robert’s teammate was the best man at their wedding. “So we have him to thank,” Robert said.

After serving three years in the Army during World War II, Robert returned to Tennessee. In 1948, the couple married and eventually moved to Florida.

Two years ago, the couple moved to Merced to follow their only daughter, a professor at UC Merced. They are still adjusting to California, but a transition like this is easier when you have your best friend by your side, they agreed.

“Oh yeah, she’s my best friend,” Robert said. “She loves me – at least that is what she tells me every day.”

Bobbie Ann said respect and accepting each other’s shortcomings are important in keeping a relationship strong. Robert said the key is in learning that relationships require sacrifice.

“Somebody is going to have to give more than the other,” he said. “It’s not a 50-50 thing, usually it’s 60-40 or even 70-30.”

“That’s the most important thing about staying married,” he continued.

Bobbie Ann said marrying Robert is the best decision she made in her life.

“We still enjoy each other’s company,” she said. “I think we’re still very happy.”

As to whether they still celebrate Valentine’s Day, Robert said they don’t do much celebrating now, but when you share your life with your best friend, he said, every day sure feels like Valentine’s Day.

This story was originally published February 12, 2016 at 6:15 PM with the headline "Merced couple shares love story of almost 70 years."