With 50 years of experience, Schwagers share marriage advice

The rock band Bread sang, "Life can be short or long. Love can be right or wrong, and if I chose the one I'd like to help me through, I'd like to make it with you."

This was the one of three songs sang at Sam and Barb Schwager's wedding on July 15, 1972.

The Orchard couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this past weekend, with loved ones, sharing their history and reminiscing about the past.

The love story started in June 1970, at Barb's cousin's wedding dance, at the Legion Club in Orchard.

"There were a whole bunch of Orchard boys and Sam came up to me," explained Barb.

"There were two of them (girls) - I couldn't get any of my friends to ask the other girl," Sam replied. "They were all wallflowers. Then finally I got one who said 'oh ya, I'll dance,' then the rest was history."

In the winter of 1971, during Barb's senior year, Sam popped the question.

"It was before a snowflake dance over at Plainview," said Barb.

"I don't remember that (snowflake dance), I guess," Sam acknowledged.

"I do, this is what girls remember," laughed Barb. "Then that's when he asked me to marry him."

Barb graduated in May and they united in marriage, July 15, 1972, at the Methodist Church in Plainview. Approximately 300 guests attended the ceremony. The reception was held at the church, with the wedding dance that followed in Orchard.

"It was over 100 (degrees) that day, and it wasn't air conditioned or nothing," Sam said.

The couple had eight individuals stand up with them. Barb's attendents included Jane Larson, Becky Vrooman, JoAnn Norris and Pat Brookhouser. Willard Vrooman, Larry Butterfield, Randy Robertson and John Baker stood beside Sam.

After the wedding, Sam and Barb went on a honeymoon to the Black Hills. It was shortly after the Rapid City flood of 1972.

"It was a disaster," Sam said.

"It was scary - the flood wiped out the entire downtown of Rapid City and again, it was hot," Barb commented.

Once they returned home, they remembered being a part of six weddings that first summer. They resided on a farm east of Orchard where they later welcomed their three children Jason (Lindsay), of Sarasota, Florida; Matthew (Amber) of Lincoln, and Sheila (Benjamin) Rowe of Lincoln.

Sam and Barb agreed that their greatest blessing was their three kids. These three went on to blessed them with ten grandchildren that consist of two sets of twins.

"Jason had the twin boys and Sheila had the twin girls," Barb said.

When asked what keeps a marriage strong, Sam replied, "Communication is probably the biggest one."

The couple's anniversary was Friday, but they decided to celebrate with friends and family on Saturday. They went to the Rex Theatre for supper, served by Barb's sister, Kathy and the couple's daughter, Sheila. Jerry Stingley played saxophone. Members of their wedding party were guests at the new Royal Bunkhouse Airbnb.

The Schwagers treasure the time they have with their children and grandkids and look forward to not having to work so hard in the future.

"I had a heart transplant seven years ago, so every day is another blessing," smiled Sam.