This happy couple is finally getting married after 68 years of putting off their courtship!  85 year old Vernon Braun and Rita Miskimen finally got engaged in Roseville, Minnesota. 

The two love birds met near Faribault, Minnesota in 1939 and began their courtship.  They dated each other off and on for about a year.  Then, Vernon went off to patriotically serve his country in World War II.  Rita wrote Vernon letters during the four years he was gone.  When Vernon came home he decided to pop the question to Rita.

Being a modern young woman of the 40s, Rita wasn’t ready to settle down yet and told Vernon “Noâ€?.  “He asked me to marry him and I wasn’t ready,” Rita said, I hadn’t seen the guy in four years, I needed more time and he was ready to settle down.â€?

Vernon however was crushed and the two managed to lose contact and settled down with other people!  This happy couple became couples with two others in 1945.

They did live long, and have lasting marriages with their husbands and wives, but in 2001 Vernon’s wife died.  He recalled the way his relationship with Rita ended and decided he try to renew a friendship with her.  Vernon’s daughter managed to find Rita’s new phone number and got a hold of her husband. 

“He said Vernon Braun’s daughter called you today,” Rita remembered, “and I was absolutely mystified.”  Her own husband was ailing and she spent most of her time caring for him.  However, Rita did take the time to call back and began talking with Vernon again.

The two rekindled their friendship and when Rita’s husband died she ended up moving back home to Minnesota.  After what he felt what a suitable amount of time, Vernon came calling.

“Again, I wasn’t ready,” Rita said laughing.

But knowing how to be a good husband, at least potentially, Vernon didn’t give up this time.  He remained her friend and gentleman caller for over a year.  He even told her his dreams of marrying her.  “A year ago thanksgiving I told her what my dream was, for the rest of my life,” Vernon said. “She says am I involved and I said yes. No way she said.”

But one Saturday morning after Vernon had gotten down on one knee at least fifty times in the last year; Rita finally accepted his marriage proposal.  “The way I felt I knew I was still in love with her.” Vernon said.  This young at heart happy couple vowed they would never again separate for the rest of their lives.

Posted by Hope on Wednesday, January 16th, 2008 at 11:15 pm.