Gibsonia couple celebrates 50 'immaculate' years of marriage

Football fans across the country recognize Dec. 23, 1972, as the date of the Immaculate Reception play delivered by the late Franco Harris.

But for Carl and Bonnie Adler of Gibsonia, the date is even more meaningful. The couple celebrated 50 years of marriage on Dec. 23, 2022.

The Adlers went to high school together, but didn’t meet until after they had both graduated. Carl was a year ahead of Bonnie and only bumped into her at a graduation party the year that she graduated.

“That was the beginning, and we’re still going strong,” Bonnie said.

The Adlers have three adult daughters and 10 grandchildren, all Steelers fans.

And yes, the fateful Steeler game was indeed part of the couple’s big day in 1972.

“I was listening to the game on the radio with my groomsmen,” Carl said. “The game was blacked out on Pittsburgh TV, hoping fans would come to the stadium instead of watching on TV. The four of us went ballistic bailing out of our car and running around in the driveway!”

Carl and Bonnie have lived in Gibsonia their whole lives, apart from the two years Carl was in the Army. Their first anniversary took place while Carl was in the service, but they were able to spend it together because he was on leave around Christmas. They went to see “Love Story” at the North Hills movie theater.

“Historically, I’ve always wanted to do fun things for my wife on anniversaries, particularly the bigger anniversaries,” Carl said.

For their 40th anniversary, a friend of Carl’s was able to arrange a meeting between Carl and Franco Harris. Harris took a picture with Carl and signed a card Carl had made for Bonnie. Carl took Bonnie to Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and surprised her with the card and a big party.

Carl and Bonnie’s daughters held an anniversary celebration for them on Dec. 17. Becky Adler, 43, remarked that she had grown up observing her parents’ two very different personalities and how they would always work together to find a compromise.

Bonnie advises newly married couples not to give up when they hit bumps in the road. “Don’t bail out; work through it.”

“It’s all about being unselfish. It’s funny, people always think they know what’s right. I always look to hear what my wife has to say. Even if it’s not 100% right, it certainly gives me a good perspective. I need to listen. I need to become a better listener too,” Carl said.

Carl worked in the tree business for a long time and then in a sales representative position for NCR before he retired. Bonnie used to work as an administrative clerk.

The secret to their long and happy relationship?

“Following the recipe God gave us for marriage. He really knew what he was doing and even though we fall short often, that recipe has proven itself to be the truth. That is how we are where we are. Without him, I don’t know where we would be,” Carl said.

The couple commemorated their golden anniversary by tailgating at the Steelers game on Christmas Eve.

“We were hoping that we would catch a glimpse of Franco because we knew that there were a lot of fun celebrations planned for him on the day of the game,” Bonnie said. “We were so saddened to learn about (his) passing. My goodness that was a shock! Franco was such a kind man. He just was always willing to do special things for people.”