A 75-year love story will forever change today. Clifford and Mildred Bjerke of Moorhead, Minn., married in the 1930s and raised a fun-loving family based on their simple ideals of love, family and hard work. Not uncommon in those days, but few are able to reach the 75 year milestone.

The grandparents of one of my best friends, I’ve witnessed the legacy Clifford and Mildred created – generations of Bjerkes who carry on the “spunk” that kept Clifford on his toes and the hard work that held their family together. Their daughter, at age 70, makes me laugh out loud at her stories and admire her funky new haircut and bright red dress. Their granddaughter, my friend, is not only the life of the party, but also works long, emotional hours as a neonatal nurse practitioner.

It’s both heart-warming and heart-breaking that Clifford and his family say goodbye and lay Mildred to rest today, Valentine’s Day 2013, just days after sharing their love story with The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead. It’s my honor to pass along Clifford and Mildred Bjerke’s secrets of 75 years of marriage.