A Zanesville Couple Celebrates their 52nd Valentine’s Day

 It’s Valentine’s Day, and love is in the air. But, for one Zanesville couple, their love has lasted for decades.

Thomas and Charles-Etta Wallace have been married for nearly 53 years. In January of 1964 the couple met while Thomas was serving in the US Airforce and was asked by his cousin to visit her church not knowing there he would then meet his soon-to-be wife.

"When I got there the choir was singing and my wife was in the choir. There was 2 or 3 ladies in the choir that saw me in my uniform and I got looks. But, she smiled at me with a big, big pretty smile, she still has that smile. Then she winked at me. I was kind of shy, so I told my cousin, I want to meet that girl right there," said Thomas.

"I’d say love at first sight. There is nothing else I could say," said Thomas.

"I don’t know maybe his looks. I just liked the way he looked in his uniform," said Charles Etta.

One month later on Valentine’s Day Thomas popped the big question. And 52 years later the love is still there.

"I love it when he remembers, because, sometimes he forgets the anniversary," said Charles Etta.
"I love it when she jokes, if I can get her to joke. I joke more than she does but, when she does I like it," said Thomas.

As the years passed they had 6 children. Both Thomas and Charles agreed that putting God first along with good communication is what keeps their relationship strong.

"We’re still learning, after all these years we’re still learning about each other and what they like and what they don’t like," said Charles Etta.