How Do Marriages Last? CT Insider Features Edgehill Couple of 63 Years

The following is an excerpt from a recent CT Insider feature by Andrea Valluzzo, Correspondent. Photography by Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media.
Read the full article: How do marriages last? These four Connecticut couples reflect on 50+ years of commitment.

A Life Built on Adventure and Partnership

Beverly and Mike Smith, now residents of Edgehill in Stamford, CT, have shared 63 years of marriage shaped by international moves, shared interests and unwavering partnership. The couple married on July 28, 1962, at College Presbyterian Church in San Diego. For four decades, Beverly supported Mike’s international business career by packing up their family and moving across the country—from California to Washington, Oregon, Arizona and finally Connecticut—all while pursuing her own career in education.

When Mike retired in 2002, he asked Beverly where she wanted to settle. “You have followed me everywhere, so what do you want to do?” Her answer: “I want to stay right here in Greenwich.” They spent 20 more years there before moving to Edgehill in 2023.

Shared Passions and Family Moments

The couple shares a love of travel, outdoor sports and creativity—Mike in woodworking and Beverly in sculpture. Over the years, their family also included many Labrador Retrievers and their current dog, Sandy, now enjoys life with them at Edgehill. Beverly recalls a favorite memory: “One of the cutest pictures in my mind is nine or 10 puppies rolling around with our 3, 4, 5 and 6-year-old kids.”

Their Reflections on Marriage

Beverly and Mike Smith admit they never received official advice as newlyweds—instead, they followed the example set by their parents. “Nobody said to be sure you do this or that, so we’ve never given advice, even to our own kids,” Beverly says. “We’ve enjoyed who they have chosen and we’ve led by example—our parents did the same.”

Mike adds that mutual respect has been essential. “Respecting each other’s opinions… we are very outspoken, so I think that helps us see what the other is thinking.”