Lessons on love: Love like crazy

The Missourian interviewed 10 senior citizens with more than 400 combined years of marriage among them, and we've compiled a list of the 10 tips they shared. Read all 10 lessons in a single story.

10. Love like crazy

When asked about love, Otie Kinnear says: "I've only ever had one."

He met his wife, Imogene Kinnear, during World War II.

"I was on my vacation, I guess you could call it, from the Air Force," he said. "She was a good looking woman, and she was on a horse that day I met her."

The two began writing letters back and forth once Otie’s leave was over.

"I'm not a very good writer, but I wrote to her and she wrote to me," he said. "And three furloughs later, I married her."

"I've always counted on her being at my side."

The two have been married since 1944, and Otie said he can not imagine his life without her. Every time he speaks of her, it is with fondness.

"In fact she’s very talented in herself, and I'm not," he said. "I’m just me. She’s talented though. She’s a pianist and sings."

Now, every day that Otie goes to MU Adult Day Connection, he stops whatever he is doing mid-morning to call his wife "just to check" on her. 

"I mean I couldn't do without her," he said. "I just automatically think about her."

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