How Do Marriages Last? CT Insider Features Meadow Ridge Couple of 68 Years
The following is an excerpt from a recent CT Insider feature by Correspondent Andrea Valluzzo and Photo Courtesy of H. John Voorhees III/Hearst Connecticut Media
Read the full article: How do marriages last? These four Connecticut couples reflect on 50+ years of commitment.
As part of a special feature, The Connecticut Bride spoke with couples across Connecticut who have been married for 50 years or more, uncovering the stories, milestones and wisdom behind their lasting relationships. Among them were Emma Jane and John Ohnemus, who enjoy Independent Living at Meadow Ridge in Redding, CT. Now celebrating 68 years of marriage, their journey spans continents, careers, and generations—rooted in commitment, resilience, and a shared sense of purpose.
A Remarkable Beginning
Emma Jane and John Ohnemus have been married for 68 years—and their story began with an unlikely connection. They first met at a Christmas party when Emma Jane was just 16 and John, a student at Rutgers, told her she was too young for him. Nearly a year later, the two crossed paths again—Emma Jane grieving the loss of her grandmother and John recovering from a football injury with his jaw wired shut. “That’s all she wrote,” Emma Jane says.
A Life of Service and Adventure
They married on September 1, 1956, at Our Lady of Grace in Stratford. Their life together took them across the country and around the world during John’s 23-year Air Force career, which saw them move 22 times. Amidst those years of travel, Emma Jane raised their four children while taking on various jobs—eventually becoming an attorney in Arkansas, where they spent the longest stretch of their life together before settling at Meadow Ridge in 2019. Today, their family includes 11 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
The Secret to Lasting Love
As for the secret to a long and happy marriage? “You have to work at it every day,” Emma Jane says. John nods in agreement, adding, “You make a commitment.”