A dictionary defines love as “a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person.”

It is a simple thing to look up the definition for love, but it is another to find a couple who has lived by this definition for 50 years.

Bill and Sandy Anderson Ford of Smethport recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

To commemorate this milestone, the couple renewed their marriage vows on Dec. 24 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Smethport, which happens to be the same church they were married in on Dec. 30, 1967.

Their original wedding announcement was in The Era on Jan. 1, 1968.

“Trinity Lutheran Church was decorated with wreaths and pine boughs at the marriage of Miss Sandra Kay Anderson and William Richard Ford,” The Era reported at the time.

The Fords have three children, Todd (Stephanie) Ford of Mooresville, Indiana, Paul (Debra) Ford of Archdale, North Carolina and Melissa Reynolds of Port Allegany. They also have seven grandchildren, as well as one great-grandson.

Both are graduates of Smethport Area High School, where they were high school sweethearts.

Mrs. Ford said that when it came to renewing their vows, “It was just something we wanted to do. It was sort of a reaffirment.”

She also mentioned that her and her husband began dating when she was 15 years old.

The couple usually goes out to dinner on Valentine’s Day as a way to get out and enjoy each other’s company.

“We have such a good relationship, and we always have,” she added. “He has always been a part of my life, and I can’t even say how much that means to me.”

Mrs. Ford also was quick to say that they are not without their ups and downs, but what’s important is getting through them. A phrase that she kept repeating was to, “Never give up.”

“Everything takes work, especially marriages,” she said. “You just have to ride it out; always remember how important communication is.”

Mrs. Ford had a hard time coming up with one thing that she has learned about marriage after 50 years, but it was easy to tell by her tone that her love for her husband goes far beyond a dictionary definition.

“He’s my best friend, and he will tell you that I’m his,” she said.

She was quick to say that marriage is one of the best things to experience because she has been able to share her life with the man she loves, and, “It’s a wonderful life.”

One question that may come to mind when talking to a couple that has been together for 50 years, is what their secret to a long marriage is.

“I would say our secret to a long marriage has been to always have patience with each other,” she said.

When asked if patience ever proves difficult, Mrs. Ford was quick to say, “Oh, yes.”

However, she was also quick to say that although patience is not always easy, it’s always going to be important.

She said that having a family has always been one of their drives to fight for patience. They have always wanted to set an example, and show that even though their will always be ups and downs, with patience and love, anything is possible.

“Love for me is waking up every day and spending that day with my best friend,” she said. “I love knowing that each day is another day I get to share with him, and that’s how it should be.”