Fred and Kathryn Groshong have known each other for 74 years. The couple first met on the wood floors of Oungre's town hall when they were teenagers, in early 1940's.

Kathryn was playing the piano with a dance orchestra at the town hall one evening, when she was 16 years old.

"We had a few minutes between dances so, Fred must have looked up on the stage and thought he saw something interesting," Kathryn recalled, with a smile on her face.

"He came up and said to the banjo player, 'Would you like to have a dance, and I'll play the banjo for you?' ... So, Fred sat down and started playing the banjo, and I looked at him and I thought 'Oh, this guy can really play the banjo,'" she said with a laugh.

"And then I thought, "And is he ever good looking!'"

Fred then introduced himself to Kathryn and asked her to join him at the midnight supper after the dance. Kathryn said yes, but got to thinking, "I don't know this fellow!"

Kathryn remembered asking a close friend of hers about 'Freddie Groshong,' and was reassured he was a nice guy, "So, that started it all!" she said.

The couple got engaged at Christmas time in 1944, and were married on July 25, 1945.

Kathryn said she was around 18 years old, and teaching at a small country school near Minton, Sask., when she realized Fred was the one.

"Fred was quite patient. He was really attentive," she said. "It was a country school and he would drive that awful road, that had so many curves, and the roads in the 1940's were not up to much, but he was very attentive."

For Fred, the moment he fell in love with Kathryn, "Must have been right away!"

* * *

It was 1945, and the war had just ended.

"We remember the war years quite well," said Kathryn. "There were a lot of sad things about the war ... It took people at home, as well as overseas. If you had to go without something it was all for the good of the boys overseas," she recalled.

When the war ended, Kathryn said people were ready to lighten up. Fred and Kathryn's wedding was approaching, with more than 200 invitations sent out.

"People felt it was time to celebrate something," said Kathryn.

Kathryn and Fred agree that their faith is something that has kept them close throughout the years. Kathryn has played piano at many church services, the couple were heavily involved with the United Church in Oungre, and Kathryn made sure when they were married, it took place at a church.

The wedding was held at a small church in Bromhead, Sask. The church is still around today, but is all that really remains of the tiny southern Saskatchewan town.

The reception took place in Oungre. Fred drove himself and his new wife in a Ford V8, which belonged to his parents.

"Everyone had their own vehicles. I don't suppose Oungre has seen quite so many cars at one time," laughed Kathryn.

Fred and Kathryn were fortunate enough to have a flash camera for their wedding.

"Very few people had a flash camera (in 1945). If you wanted a picture you went outside and took it with the sunlight," she said.

Thanks to the janitor at the school where she worked, Fred and Kathryn have amazing photographs to remember their wedding 71 years later.

The wedding supper was served to more than 250 guests. Kathryn said in the 1940's, the term 'babysitter' didn't really exist. "In those days, you invited the parents but you counted on all the children coming," she explained. 

Cold chicken, potato salad, ice cream and strawberries were on the menu.

However, in 1945, there was no electricity. "The ice cream was a challenge because it had to come out on the train," said Kathryn. "When I think of it now, I don't know how they ever did it, but they did!"

The top tier of the couple's wedding cake still sits in their china cabinet today, after all the years.

After the reception and dance wrapped up, the newlyweds drove to Fred's farm south of Bromhead - in the rain.

* * *

The couple lived in the small, three bedroom, cottage style farmhouse south of Bromhead for 28 years.

The two eventually moved from Fred's original farm to one near Torquay, where the couple lived for more than 25 years.

Throughout the years, Fred and Kathryn celebrated the birth of four children.

Their first born, Richard, arrived in 1949; their son Willis was born in 1954; and finally, two identical twins, Lois and Lynn, were born in 1958.

To date, Fred and Kathryn have also welcomed 10 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren - with one more on the way in August.

After the birth of their children, Kathryn gave up school teaching. Country schools were being amalgamated into little towns and the Groshong farm had more than enough work available.

Kathryn said, her and Fred have made their way back to that area of the province on special occasions, such as Christmas and other celebrations. Fred said, it's interesting to go back and see how the farming has changed since he was in the profession decades ago.

"When we were first farming, all we raised was wheat, oats, barley and flax, but now, there's so many more varieties," Fred said.

Eventually, the couple retired to Weyburn in 1999.

* * *

Fred and Kathryn have been active in community organizations across the south since the two first met.

Kathryn highlighted her time as the very first vice president of the board for Weyburn's first community college (known today as Southeast College).

"That was probably the largest commitment, because community colleges were so new, and to work out all the bylaws, and all these things that a starting organization has to do, which meant monthly meetings in Weyburn," said Kathryn.

"Fred drove me all those times to Weyburn, it was a huge commitment."

Kathryn is amazed at how the college has developed from those meager beginnings.

Fred spent many years on Co-op and school boards, The Wheat Pool board and the Canadian Wheat Board.

"You did it just to keep that organization going," said Kathryn. "But, we loved doing it because we believed in the principles and what those organizations were working for."

Both Fred and Kathryn have received the Queen's Jubilee Medal for their volunteerism. They received the medals when Queen Elizabeth II was honoured for her 60 years on the throne.

Kathryn said, she often gloats that she was born the same year as the Queen. Decorative heirlooms of the Queen are scattered across the couple's third story condo in Weyburn.

Both women recently celebrated their 90th birthdays. Fred recently celebrated his 94th.

* * *

So, what is it that has kept the couple together for 71 years?

"Well, you said it this morning, Fred. I asked you remember?" said Kathryn.

"We love each other," answered Fred.

"There, that's it!" said Kathryn, with a joyful giggle.

It's not only love, but respect. The couple said they can't remember having a harsh argument throughout the years.

"We just aren't the arguing type, are we Fred?" laughed Kathryn. "We've lived together this long, we can almost just look at each other and tell what the other one is thinking, whether they think much of the idea or dont think much of the idea," she added.

Kathryn said, trust is also another important part of their relationship. However, most of it is about cherishing the moments together.

"Even if it's your birthday, and of course your anniversaries and all that. Fred has just given me beautiful cards throughout the years," Kathryn said.

The best part about being together this long?

"Being close to each other, and feeling you need each other, and then there are the happy times when you can laugh together," answered Kathryn.

But, how did they make it through the hard times?

"We were younger then," laughed Fred.

Kathryn agreed.

"When you're younger you have a lot more strength. We find ourselves at this age, regarding each other's health, that really comes first now," she said. "You wish you could maybe do this, or travel like you used to, but that's not important now as it used to be, and we're just glad we did all those things when we did them."

Music has always played an important role for the couple. After they were married, the two teamed up and spent countless hours singing in church, playing at nursing homes and even taking part in the Communithon year after year.

"When you sit down and play music together, well you almost have to agree," laughed Kathryn, about how music has helped their relationship.

Some of their biggest accomplishments, however, have come later in life.

"Ever since the first grandchild came along, it's been exciting," said Kathryn. "You have another person that has a whole personality of their own, and you try to help shape that personality as much as you can," she said, adding that the two don't believe in interfering with how their own children raise the grandkids.

"Hopefully, they work together on things like we've always tried to do."

Finally, what advice can a couple married for 71 years give to those who are approaching milestone anniversaries?

"Keep loving and caring for each other for as long as you can," said Kathryn.

* * *

Fred and Kathryn still live in the same third story condo in Weyburn as they did when they first moved to Weyburn in 1999.

"We're the only ones that are original here, they've all changed except ours," explained Fred.

For a couple who has been through 71 years together, their commitment and dedication to each other hasn't changed since the first day they met.