In high school, many are lucky to find the love of their life at a young age. Unlike these couples, being in a relationship is more than just dating each other. They see a future together that not a lot could see in their significant other. These two couples have a unique kind of love that they feel for each other. Despite the challenging obstacles that they have faced, they continue to thrive as one.

For North Platte high school seniors Cabernay Wheeler and Justin McQuillin, love came to them during their freshman year gym class. “I liked him a lot [and] I think we all knew that,” said Wheeler. McQuillin explains how it was awkward at first, “I was already dating someone and I didn’t want it to seem like I was cheating, so I was distant for awhile.”

On November 2017, Wheeler and McQuillin decided to move in together. One month later, the two were engaged. “It happened in the Walmart parking lot,” said McQuillin. “She was already there getting groceries and I already had the ring, so I took it as a sign.” The couple are planning their wedding in Mid- October at the River’s Edge Golf course.

In the future, Wheeler will head to beauty school while McQuillan will go into the army. When asked if children were in the picture Wheeler responded, “When we’re financially stable and have our own house, then we’ll start planning on having kids.” Both have agreed not to stay in Nebraska. “We’re moving to some place that’s warm,” said McQuillin.

They lived in Sutherland, NE and locked eyes at their local church. The two met at just 19 years old. “My folks have known his folks for a long time,” said 79-year-old Audrey Brown. “I thought he was pretty nice and good-looking.” Melvin Brown couldn’t keep his eyes off of Audrey, “When I saw her, I thought of her as a loyal, kind, and loving woman.”

For their first date, they cruised the ones. “A lot of couples back then would drive around until the gas ran out,” said Melvin. “Of course, a gallon of gas would only cost like 50 cents. It was pretty cheap, unlike how it is now.” Both would go on to explain how there really wasn’t anything to do in Sutherland, but to drive.

Within six months into their relationship, they decided marriage was a definite idea. “I was sick in bed with the flu,” said Audrey. “He brought over a stainless steel cookware and he asked me to marry him.” When she turns to ask Melvin if he remembered he said, “It’s been 60 years, I don’t really remember.”

When the time came, they were excited to be their one and only. “I was excited,” said Melvin. “I thought it was pretty neat to have a wife of my own.” For their honeymoon, Melvin and Audrey wanted to spend it in Colorado Springs. “We got married Friday afternoon and then came back Sunday because it was too cold,” said Melvin. “We did everything fast those days.” As for these two, living together didn’t come to mind until marriage. “I think it’s kind of sad that kids nowadays would live together at first, but they don’t really know each other,” said Melvin. “They live together for awhile and end up splitting up.”

Their advice? “Be careful who you date,” said Melvin. “You might fall in love with somebody that [you] really don’t know.” Audrey recommends that finishing high school and getting your diploma should always be a priority. “Nowadays, you need your diploma to get a job,” said Audrey.

When you first meet Melvin and Audrey, you can feel the love and happiness between them. “He’s an interesting guy and he tells a lot of jokes,” said Audrey. “We have four children, 10 grand kids, and seven great-grand kids and they all make our lives interesting.” Both had came from a family with a history of long-term marriages. Now, they live in an assisted living facility in North Platte together. “It’s really nice. We get three meals a day, our apartment vacuumed once a week, and our laundry gets washed,” said Audrey. The couple have also shared some health problems. Audrey has suffered from Asthma, while Melvin was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS) in 2016.

Audrey and Melvin will be celebrating their 60th Anniversary on Valentine’s Day. “It’s a very warm feeling to know that she’s been my wife for so long,” said Melvin. “I don’t know what I would do without him,” said Audrey.

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Audrey and Melvin 60 years ago on their wedding day. “I was trying to keep him away from my dad,” said Audrey.