Twenty couples renewed marriage vows on February 14, 2019. Among them were O'Connor Wood residents Jerry and Betsy Schaffer, Carol and Warren van Bronkhorst and Larry and Dianne McSwain who were interviewed by Good Day Sacramento. Watch video.

Valentine’s Day brings out love --- exponentially! With so many couples celebrating dozens of years of marriage, a celebration of love was hosted at the Chapel at O’Connor Woods, 3400 Wagner Heights Road, Stockton, CA 95209.

Here are just three of the 20 love stories:

Jerry and Betsy Schaffer met at Capitola School in 1956 and were married the next year. Four children, 14 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren later, they still enjoy traveling together. They say the secret to a long and happy relationship is being kind and thoughtful to each other. They share this advice: Show your children how to love. Accept your mate for who they are. Don’t be competitive with one another. Have fun together.

Carol and Warren van Bronkhorst married in 1956. A year earlier they had met at the Rochester Philharmonic. Carol was an usher. Warren, a violinist in the orchestra, approached Carol during intermission and asked for a date. Together they’ve raised three kids. They encourage new parents to enjoy their young children because they grow so fast.  Their favorite pastimes are sailing, camping and exploring the foothills. They are grandparents of three and say that appreciating each other is important to the success of a marriage.

Larry and Dianne McSwain met at work in 1982. They found joy together with cook outs and game nights. They have three children and one grandchild and they encourage young parents to not go to bed angry. “For us, because ours is an interracial marriage, we learned to be our own best friends, to not take things too seriously,” said the couple.