Timeless love stories on the Palouse - The Stinsons

The Stinsons have been married for 62 years, 63 in June, confirmed Mrs. Stinson.

"We've known each other since the first grade," Mrs. Stinson said.

"We went to grade school and high school together," Mr. Stinson said, Mrs. Stinson added that they didn't end up going together until he was a senior in high school.

"He was working at the swimming pool," Mrs. Stinson said, adding that she had applied for a job as a lifeguard which he was as well.

Mr. Stinson would go to college at Kansas State University, and Mrs. Stinson worked at the University.

They would marry in 1960 in Tribune, Kansas.

Moving to Missouri, Mr. Stinson worked for a plant growing nursery, and did research for 8 years. After moving to Oregon where he joined an apple and pear rootstock nursery.

"Two years later we bought the greater part of that nursery out," Mr. Stinson said, noting that they would then start their own they'd keep until 1998 before moving to Texas to help their son get started in a livestock program.

The Stinson's had three children. A kid in each state Mrs. Stinson explained, "One in Kansas, one in Missouri, and one in Oregon."

For the Stinsons their love is a journey they have taken together, building their family, and seeing the world.

"We've been a few places and done a few things," Mrs. Stinson said, noting that they were able to go to a few countries when her husband delivered nursery stock to Mexico and a few other places.

"We spent 3 weeks together in New Zealand with the Kansas State University study abroad program," Mr. Stinson added, noting that they had fun.

In 1993 they were able to join the nursery and orchardist program with WSU and spend 3 weeks in Europe.

"We went to orchards and nurseries and everything starting at the top in Newfoundland," he said, adding that they then went down through Germany and ended up in Italy.

"When we were getting ready to go down into Italy we were up in Switzerland just barely at the top," Mrs. Stinson said, "When we looked down the Orchards were all in bloom, and it was just a sea of gold. Oh, it was beautiful."

Mr. and Mrs. Stinson will have lived in Colfax for 6 years as of May 5, and they enjoy the home they've made together.

The Stinson's are pleased with their home at Hill Ray and are proud of their three children. All who they noted all wanted to take care of them.

"You don't live with your children." Mrs. Stinson said. "You can live by them, but they have a life of their own."

When asked how they'd tell others to make love last, Mrs. Stinson said, " I don't know, I don't think about it. You know, it's just there."

"Honesty, and trust are very important," Mr. Stinson added.

"You have to agree on the very important things," Mrs. Stinson said, adding that it's important to learn to disagree, but work those things out, and let go of the smaller unimportant things.

"Just do the things that you can do together, and build a home." Mrs. Stinson said. "That doesn't mean you have to build it with money or anything else. It means to build a home for your children, and for yourself, and for your friends that you can enjoy."

"Yeah that's right, I think that covers it," Mr. Stinson agreed.

The Stinson's agreed that their marriage has lasted, because they've been there for each other even when things weren't the best for one or the other.

"You just have to have faith, and work together," Mrs. Stinson said. "I think that's the only thing you can do to make things last."