Ed Ellis walked into Jean Davis’ study hall class as the last bell sounded. It was the first day of their senior year at Everett High School. Ed was tall, handsome and well-dressed.
“Wow!” Jean said. “He didn’t stand a chance.”
Ed and Jean were both born and raised in Everett. When they met in high school, it turned out that Ed was in two of Jean’s classes, Spanish and typing.
“We said years later that it had to be predestined,” Jean said.
After Christmas, Ed told Jean that he wanted to marry her. He wrote it down on a piece of paper, and on Valentine’s Day he surprised her with a ring.
Ed and Jean Ellis of Camano Island celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a European cruise and tour. The couple were married Aug. 26, 1955, at Everett First Baptist Church. They have three children, six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
When they married, Jean and Ed were only 17 and 18 years old, but they were committed to each other.
“I can even to this day remember the excitement, the thrill of it,” Jean said.
When people talk about finding their soul mates, Jean knows what that means. Recently the couple took a European cruise. One day during the vacation, Ed stayed on the ship while Jean went on a tour. On the way back, she could feel someone watching her. It was Ed.
“Not that we don’t have our battle royals,” Jean said. “But we truly have a true love feeling toward each other.”
Ed and Jean agree that communication is an important tool in a good marriage. They also believe it’s important to talk about money, sit down and look at the budget together.
They have also found strength in their religious faith.
Ed and Jean both worked for Verizon, formerly GTE. She was there for 27 years, and he retired after 37 years.
The couple say raising children is a job for two. Jean particularly liked that Ed allowed their children to be candid and honest with him, always free to discuss things.
“I loved the way he handled his children,” Jean said. “It’s been amazing to watch how they raise their children.”
Through heartaches and crises, couples need to have that someone to come home and talk to. Ed and Jean wish every couple could have that.
One thing they did throughout their marriage was set aside a night once a week for themselves. It didn’t have to be expensive, just a time for the two of them.
“One of the things that we loved was being with one another,” Ed said.
“I remind him all the time that I’m the best thing that ever happened to him,” Jean quipped.
Christina Harper can be reached at 425-339-3491 or harper@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
