Two couples celebrated their enduring love at Juniper Village of Monroeville on Aug. 25. Bill and Sandra Barnett and Bill and Hilda Bearly commemorated their anniversaries in a joint vow renewal.

Employees had decorated the lobby and dining area for the occasion. Chairs were set up for guests and residents to sit on either side of a makeshift aisle. At the end of the aisle sat an arch decorated with ribbons and flowers.

Directly to its left, three wedding dresses hung from the banister. The dresses were brought by Juniper Village of Monroeville director Lisa Dalla Betta. She brought her mom’s 1954 dress, her own from 1988 and her daughter’s that was used in 2022.

To the right of the arch, the dining area was set up for a celebratory luncheon. A photo of the Barnetts and the Bearlys’ wedding album were placed on the front table.

Sandra and Bill Barnett have been married for 59 years. The couple were sweethearts in North Braddock’s Scott High School Class of 1957. The Pennsylvania natives were married in Shady Side and their first home was in Swissvale. Sandra worked as a receptionist, and Bill is a U.S. Coast Guard veteran. They have one daughter, Dara Brown, and one grandchild, Madison Brown.

Dara escorted her mother down the aisle to the song “We Go Together” by the Moonglows.

“It’s our song,” said Sandra Barnett.

She was all smiles as she made her way down the aisle. At one point she paused her journey to sing along to her favorite part of the song while receiving laughs and cheers from the guests.

Hilda and Bill Bearly have been married for 51 years. They met in Florida, where Bill was stationed for the U.S. Navy. Their first date was seeing the movie “Godzilla.” One of their favorite haunts was a roller rink where Hilda’s mom worked. The couple have three childrenand four grandchildren.

Hilda was escorted down the aisle by son Brian Bearly to her wedding song, “We’ve Only Just Begun” by the Carpenters.

After the wives joined their husbands under the arch, the ceremony commenced with Chaplain Jim Hargis officiating. Hargis works with Gateway Hospice. He and a few other employees attended the celebration.

Both couples were excited for the celebration. When asked what the secret to keeping a happy marriage was, Bill Bearly jokingly responded, “endurance.”

Hilda Bearly expanded on the answer a bit more.

“Make sure that you want to get married,” she said. “When you’re married, no matter what happens you stay together.”

She emphasized sticking together through the good, but especially the bad. The Bearlys lost their grandson in a car accident in 2021. Bill and Hilda depended on each other to get through the loss.

“It just tore me apart,” said Hilda. “We got through it and we had each other.”

Bill also talked about the importance of having things in common with a spouse. He and his wife found quality time and a mutual love for music.

“We both were in the choir at our church,” he said. “That was something that we could both do together.”

Sandra and Bill Barnett enjoyed reminiscing after the ceremony.

“It doesn’t seem like 60 years,” said Bill. “We’ve had a lot of adventures together.”

The couple described their years of marriage as exciting, interesting and challenging. Bill spoke on the importance of authenticity in a lasting marriage.

“Just be yourself,” he said. “It’ll all work out.”

Sandra Barnett also talked about the importance of enjoying the little moments and keeping an open mind to learning new things about a spouse every day. She has had that experience with her husband and has enjoyed their journey.

“We’ve certainly learned a lot about each other over the years,” she said.

After the ceremony, both couples were treated to cake, cookies and a luncheon where they dined with friends and family.

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