CHICO, Calif. - It is a milestone very few people ever achieve as a Chico couple celebrated their 80th anniversary at the Oakmont Retirement home today.
Clair and Bud Hill celebrated 80 years of marriage on Sept. 4, and today the Oakmont Retirement Home threw them a party not only for their anniversary but also another major milestone the very few achieve as they both turned 101 last month.
Clair and Bud Hill married in 1938.
"Have we been married 80 years?" asked Clair. "Yes," said Bill.
They met at Chico High School and tied the knot at 21-years-old.
"We met at Chico High School when we were high school students and started going together when were about what 17? I mean we dated for about 3 years before so it wasn't a hurried activity," Claire said.
The couple reminisced on their honeymoon memories.
"Did we go on a honeymoon, oh sure did greater lake, oh is that where we went? Yeah I had 35 dollars and we were only gone for about six days, but that was enough," the couple said. "In those days it was enough to finance."
Clair and Bud Hill had three daughters together starting with the oldest in 1941.
The middle daughter, Jan said her mother's cooking skills definitely helped keep them healthy.
"Claire, can you think of anything that explains our being married this long?" Bud said.
I guess it's the way I cook? Or laughs. Well that does no harm I'm sure," Claire said.
Healthy cooking or not, Clair and Bud, born just one month apart in 1917, are going strong at 101.
When asked if they still drive, Bud talked about the pick-up truck that he loves.
"Oh yes, yeah, I still got the car waiting outside ready to go. This pick-up which is very satisfactory and its pretty too," Bud said.
And after 80 years - their marriage is also going strong too.
Bud and Clair shared their secrets to a long-lasting marriage.
"Do you wanna tell them our secret? Stay healthy. I guess it helps to stay in love," they said.
Jan Hill, their middle daughter, said her parents had their fair share of ups and downs., but they stuck together through thick and thin and inspired their three children to stay in a relationship even through "rocky roads."