Marjorie Fiterman and Bernie Littman met for the first time at a costume party a decade ago.
Last week, they got married in the wedding of the century. Their century. Marjorie is 102 and Bernie is 100. And if you ever thought you were too old for love, these centenarians are here to prove you wrong.
A Missed Connection
Marjorie and Bernie both live on the same floor of a senior living facility in Philadelphia. Both widowed, they began dating nine years ago.
Bernie, an engineer, moved into the facility in 2012 after the death of his wife, Bernice. They were married for 65 years and had two children, four grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren together.
Marjorie, a teacher, became a widow in 1999 after Morris, her husband of 60 years, passed away. They never had children.
“They both had 60+ years of marriage to their first spouses and found love again at 100 years old!”
Sarah Sicherman, Bernie’s granddaughter via Humans of Judaism
However, they could have met decades earlier. They were both students at the University of Pennsylvania at the same time. But they were studying for different degrees in different departments and did not know each other.
Fate would have to wait.
The Wedding of the Century
More than seventy years later, their time would come.
The two had their first date nine years ago, on the same day that one of Bernie’s great-granddaughters was born. They’ve been together ever since, much to the delight of their families and friends.
“We were thrilled that he found someone to do activities and spend time with,” Sarah told Fox News. “They were so lucky to have found each other and be a support to each other, especially during the pandemic,” she added.
Despite being a couple for years, no one expected them to get married. “We assumed they would just live out their days status quo.”
“Grandpa surprised us all when he said he wanted to get married,” Sarah shared. “We told him we would hold a short Jewish ceremony, but Grandpa insisted on a legal wedding so they registered for marriage.”
For Bernie, the reason was simple.
“It’s just true love.”
Bernie Littman
“She’s a lovely, sweet, charming, affectionate girl,” he told the Jewish Exponent. “A delightful person.”
“I love Bernie,” Marjorie responded.
The couple wed on May 19, in the same place where it all began. It was a first for their marriage officiant, Rabbi Adam Wohlberg who is used to marrying couples in their 20s and 30s. He was honored to be a part of it.
“I thought that this would be a really special occasion for people who have experienced a lifetime of occasions, joys, and sorrows, and now have, in a wonderful and beautiful fashion, found love with each other,” he said.
Sarah shared photos of the happy event in a Facebook post, simply captioning it “Mazal tov! #centennialwedding”
Guinness World Record Breaker
The couple is reportedly the ‘world’s oldest aggregate age couple to marry’ with a combined age of 202.
According to the Guinness World Records website, the current record is held by Doreen and George Kirby of England, who had a combined age of 194 years, and 279 days when they wed on June 13, 2015. They married on George’s 103rd birthday with Doreen being 91 years 280 days.
Bernie and Marjorie’s application to beat the record is currently pending.
Love isn’t measured in days or months or years. It isn’t bound by the constraints of time. It’s timeless. And as these centenarians prove, it’s never too late for love.
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