Jesse Sims acknowledged that well-wishers are running out of ways to congratulate him and wife of 75 years, Jean, on their longevity as a couple. As such, he said, one of those well-wishers had to be a little creative this year.
“You can’t buy a card to wish somebody a happy 75th,” said Jesse Sims, 94. “We had somebody who wanted to wish us a happy 75th. They bought a 25th and a 50th [card] and gave them both to us.”
Jesse and Jean Sims marked their 75th anniversary June 20. Two days earlier, they celebrated the occasion by renewing their vows before family and friends at the home of their son Jeff and his wife Marsha.
“We had between 45 and 50 people here, plus kids,” said Marsha Sims. “They were kind of overwhelmed.”
The ceremony marked the fourth time Jesse and Jean Sims, both 94, have renewed their wedding vows. They did the same for their 60th, 65th and 70th anniversaries.
Jesse and Jean have lived in the same house for 68 years, in Forest Park. Jean Sims is one of the owners of Garland Farm in Henry County.
The two met in 1945, while Jesse Sims served in the Maritime Merchant Marines.
“We both worked in Conley years ago,” said Jesse Sims. “I was a messenger in the administration building for the Signal Corps.”
Jesse said on his last day working there, he got Jean’s address.
“That was the first time we ever spoke, and I fell in love with her through letters,” he said.
When Jesse came home from the military, he worked for AT&T but visited Jean every weekend.
Marsha Sims said Jesse went to great lengths to spend time with Jean early in their relationship.
“He would go to see her,” said Marsha Sims. “She was 18 when they got married. Then they went on a honeymoon to Gatlinburg. No one had a camera when they got married. They stopped and bought a camera on the way to the honeymoon.”
Jesse and Jean Sims, over the years, built their lengthy marriage with a foundation of unconditional love. As the years have gone by, Marsha Sims said, they have continued to enjoy each other’s company as much as possible
“After he retired, they started traveling and had a really nice life,” said Marsha Sims. “They used to spend the whole month of November in Florida, until a few years ago.”
Marsha Sims said she is proud of Jesse and Jean’s legacy of love that has lasted for 75 years.
“You don’t see that hardly ever,” said Marsha Sims. “To me, it’s just amazing. It’s basically unheard of.”
Jesse Sims added that despite being homebound now, he and jean appreciate all the visits and phone calls from loved ones congratulating them on their anniversary.
The couple’s nephew, Allen Garland of Atlanta, officiated the vow-renewal ceremony. Garland, 65, said the Sims’ story represents approximately “39 million minutes” of love and happiness.
Garland said the anniversary celebration brought to mind a quote by Italian poet Dante Alighieri in his poem, “La Vita Nuova.”
“On the first page appear the words, ‘Here begins a new life,’” said Garland. “That’s really the message. A new life began 77 years ago. What a delight to share the celebration with family and friends.
“You can’t buy what they’ve got,” continued Garland. “I was getting ready to tell them to join hands, but they were already holding hands like two teenagers. That’s something I’ll always remember.
“We did the vows, and it was so precious,” continued Garland. “Then I quoted a Bible verse, 1 John 5:12. They’re just really good people. I don’t know of anybody else that’s been married that long. It’s one of the greatest wonders I’ll ever see. It meant as much to me as when I gave my life to Christ, to be there with them at this joyous celebration.”
