It only takes a second.
A stolen look in a crowded room, holding a door open for a stranger, accidentally taking someone's coffee at Starbucks.
It only takes a simple moment to meet that one special someone who changes everything.
For Charlotte and David Sutton, Bonnie Macewan and Tom Manig, it has been decades since that one special moment.
The Suttons have been married for 39 years in March and met at a Navy party in Virginia where David was stationed. Charlotte is an associate professor of management and David is an associate professor of communication and journalism.
"I had a job in Virginia and went to the party with some high school friends, one of which was in the Navy and was on the same ship as David," Charlotte said. "I saw David walk in, and I peeked around someone and thought, 'Oh wow, he looks kind of cute.' I remember the song 'Some Enchanted Evening' was playing."
The two started dating Sept. 5, 1975, were engaged Nov. 5 and married March 22, 1976.
David spent time away at sea after they were first married and said he remembers hard times.
"Charlotte always says that the quality that attracts us most to a person aggravates us the most; for me, that's her independence," David said. "While I was away, I kept hearing one of my shipmates complain that the washing machine had broken at his house and was worried about his wife handling it. I just thought, 'Well, Charlotte would just pick up the phone and call somebody.'"
Charlotte recalled the Christmas David returned home from sea and not being able to afford much.
"It's not how much you have that determines your happines," Charlotte said. "The happiest times were when we didn't have anything."
They had a daughter and son and are now expecting two grandchildren in the spring. Their daughter lives in Auburn and their son lives in Atlanta, where he is expecting his second child.
"We're a little worried about the babies coming the week of finals," David said. "For Valentine's Day this year, we're going to my son's house and babysitting our grandson, Thomas, so that his mom and dad can spend special time together."
According to the Suttons, balancing their relationship is easier now that it is just the two of them. A perfect night for them is a TV dinner date with their favorite shows. As for how their marriage has withstood the test of time, Charlotte credits luck.
"We always had the mentality of when you get married, you stay together," Charlotte said. "We knew each other for six months before we got married and it just worked. Some people change and become incompatible. In that sense, we were lucky and changed toward one another."
To make a marriage last, David and Charlotte said understanding each person is different.
David has more of a witty, dry sense of humor and enjoys following the rules, whereas Charlotte is more social with an outgoing personality and strong aspirations.
"We accept those differences, and I'm glad I have her going into these years," David said. "We still make each other laugh."
Bonnie and Tom met at a party hosted by a faculty member who was a friend of Tom's. They had been philosophy students together at the University of Wyoming and the University of Nebraska.
The two have been married since June 1985; their wedding ceremony was on top of Flagstaff Mountain in Boulder, Colorado. The two do not have any children, but have lived their lives traveling and exploring.
"I remember a time we were exploring northern Scotland, and two memories stand out," Bonnie said. "We visited remote standing stones in Orkney during a sleet storm, then spent another day tracking down graves of all the philosophers who ever lived in Edinburgh."
Tom is a philosophy instructor and Bonnie is the dean of Ralph Brown Draughon Library at Auburn. Both said they work too much, but credit their commitment to the work done at Auburn. They also credit each other to their lasting relationship.
"I'm always glad to spend time with Bonnie," Tom said. "We don't have to be doing anything fancy or cinematic. It just makes my day when she's nearby."
Bonnie said Tom is "the smartest and nicest person I have ever known."
Tom advises couples to think of the Golden Rule when in a relationship and giving thought before speaking or acting.
As for Valentine's Day this year, the couple is taking it easy.
"We haven't decided yet," Tom said. "Or perhaps it's a predictable surprise."
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
