Life Long Love: Meet the DiNatales
How many years have you been married and how old were you when you got married?
We have been married for 44 years (this coming May 20). I was 21 years old and Tony was 22.
Where & how did the two of you meet?
We met in high school. We went to different high schools but were often at the same social events on weekends or after football games.
What first attracted you to one another?
I was attracted to his dark good looks and as I got to know him, his genuineness and honesty. Tony says “she was breathtaking, and still is!”
We all have ideas about how marriage is supposed to be when we say our wedding vows. What was one of the first challenges you encountered that challenged your ideas of what marriage was supposed to be?
One of the first challenges we faced was when Tony started suffering severe depression.
What has helped you stay together? What's your secret?
First of all, splitting up or giving up was never ever an option. Forgiveness, not holding on to offense and seeking to please God by our attitudes and actions and asking for His help has helped us stay together. Also supporting and being understanding of each other.
Do you pray together? Or have other faith activities?
We attend church together, listen to podcasts together and discuss things we hear and learn.
Do you date? How do you play together? How has that changed during your years together?
When the kids were young, we would go away for a weekend at least once a year and go out for the evening a few times a year. We also enjoyed having friends and family over for dinner very often. Now that we are retired, we enjoy seeing new places, going out for dinner more often, kayaking, just working around the house together.
How do you KNOW your spouse loves you? How do you let your spouse know you love them?
We show our love to each other by taking care of each other and doing things that we know please the other (he puts gas in my car and takes care of all the financial stuff and household repairs; she makes great meals, keeps the house nice and rubs my back). Also by smiles, laughter, saying I love you, listening to each other, compromising.
Share a nugget of wisdom you wish you could give to your younger selves.
Tony - trust God for the hard things as well as the simple things.
Toni - as you surrender your expectations and disappointments to the Lord, His peace will follow and He will work things out for good.
What do you do on a regular basis for your marriage?
Seek to please God first with our attitude and actions toward each other and forgive when we don’t do such a good job at it! Also, be thankful for all of His blessings.