Ecclesiastes tells us that a cord of three strands is not easily broken, and as we celebrate National Marriage Week, that could not be truer than in the lives of Vic and Mary Anna Eaton, who celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary in December. Marriages like Vic and Mary Anna’s are a reminder of the beauty of marriage and its vital role in shaping flourishing families and communities. After four years at the same college, the two of them met during the final week of their senior year at the University of Missouri. Throughout the summer and fall their relationship grew through letter correspondence. “I must have been a really good letter-writer,” laughed Vic. “God was leading us and took care of us.”
With just 1% of marriages making it past 60 years, 66 years is an incredible milestone! What makes the Eatons’ story even more incredible is that almost 28 years ago, Mary Anna was told that she had only 6–9 months left to live after being diagnosed with metastatic melanoma that rapidly spread to her brain. At the time, the aggressive form of cancer had only a 1% survival rate. Vic quit his job to spend time with her and care for her during her treatment at the Mayo, living out the commitment they had made to one another to love, honor, and cherish one another in sickness and in health. Against all odds, Mary Anna won her cancer battle, leading her oncologist to ask the couple, “Do you have a lot of people praying for you?” She has been cancer-free ever since and years later at an annual follow-up her oncologist attributed her healing to the prayers of the people around her.
The two of them have intentionally surrounded themselves with a community of believers throughout their married life and they point to it as a vital part of raising up their children in the Lord. “Most of our friends have strong faith. We help each other,” Vic said. “They’ve passed [their faith] onto their children, too.”
Vic and Mary Anna say that their family is the greatest blessing that has come from their marriage. With three children, 8 grandchildren, and soon-to-be six great-grandchildren they have passed on a legacy of faith to three generations through God’s faithfulness. Throughout their marriage, they have encouraged one another in their walk with the Lord. “My faith was really strengthened through our marriage,” said Vic.
When asked what advice they would offer a recently engaged or newly married couple, they encouraged couples to be open and honest with one another, faithful, and supportive. “Every marriage, I’m sure, has little bitty ups and downs, but ours were pretty little,” said Vic.
“Keep your sense of humor,” said MaryAnna, “And be forgiving,” Vic added. “I think we’re always pretty kind to each other. Your faith is very helpful, strong faith is very helpful.”
As a growing number of young people question whether marriage is worth it, marriages like Vic and Mary Anna’s are proof that it is. Their 66 years of love and faithfulness point to the beauty and goodness of marriage. Psalm 102:18 tells of the beautiful hope of future generations praising the name of the Lord because of the words and actions of those who came before them. Christ-centered marriages like Vic and Mary Anna’s that build a legacy of faith for generations to come are a part of that.
