Mel and Joey Schwanke have been married for 65 years. When they are asked how they have made their marriage last so long in a world where divorce has become so common, they attribute their success in part to the 146 custom-made matching outfits they share, which they have worn for more than 35 years.
MSNBC reports that Mel has been the one to buy fabric for Joey’s dresses. Joey recalls that:
“He would get 3 ½ yards every time. That’s enough for a dress and a belt.”
Eventually her husband alerted her that he didn’t think the belt flattered her. Her dressmaker, who hated the idea of wasting fabric, instead fashioned a tie instead of making their usual matching belt. Since then, Mel and Joey wake up every mornign and work together to decide what outfit to wear.
The Huffington Post reports that the Schwanke’s attribute a successful marriage to love and respect for each other. Joey stated that:
“To this day, if he does something for me I thank him. If we run into each other, we say excuse me. We fully respect each other and consider each other with every decision we make.”
MSNBC reports that she explains how well dressed the two are, saying:
“I have never seen him with a day-old beard. He shaves every morning, wears a coat and a tie and pressed trousers. He doesn’t let his trousers get real long and real baggy at the bottom — he uses a tailor. I dress every day too; I always wear hose and do my hair really nice and it’s just one of those things.”
Mel’s response to his reasoning for dressing so well every day? He stated:
“When you live with the most beautiful woman in the whole world, you’ve gotta keep looking good.”
