Morrison County Record 2020 Bridal Guide | Page 10

10 • 2020 Bridal • Morrison County Record • www.mcrecord.com Little Falls couple celebrates 58 years of blossoming love to get married, but her mother said no. “I didn’t tell her about it until April and we wanted to get married in June, so she [email protected] thought it was too soon. She said, ‘You know, December would be a really nice It is with an indescribable joy Jay and Dianne Spillum of Little Falls celebrate 58 time to have a wedding,’” Dianne said. years of marriage. When they got married “She thought that by then we would have broken up. She told everybody at the Dec. 16, 1961, they didn’t really think about what life would be more than half a wedding reception that she would be sur- century later. They just took it day-by-day prised if the marriage lasted longer than a year, But she changed her mind over time,” and that is how they continue to live their Jay said. lives. Shortly after The two met when “You give a little and they married, Jay Dianne was still a you take a little.” and Dianne moved junior at West High — Jay Spillum to Moorhead as he School in Minneap- started studying at the olis. He had dropped Minnesota State University in pursuit of out from the University of Jamestown in a degree in mathematics and a minor in Jamestown, N.D. to attend a radio school in the Twin Cities to learn more about the physical education. Dianne also became pregnant with programming side of broadcasting. “Four of us guys moved into an apart- their first child, Tanya, and by the time Jay graduated in 1964, she had also given birth ment upstairs and it was just next door to to their second child, Betty. At that time, where she was,” Jay said. they were renting a basement. A young lady and curious about the Rather than to delay his job hunt as boys, Dianne said she used to watch for many students did, Jay started looking them when they took out their trash. “I would look out the window and say, for different teaching openings. It even- tually led them to Little Falls where he ‘Mom, I think the garbage needs to go first taught mathematics at the Little Falls out,’” she said. Dianne said she wasn’t interested in any Junior High School for eight years and then taught an additional 25 years at the of the particular boys, but it didn’t take long for Jay to take an interest in her. Over Little Falls Community High School until time, it became rather common for the two he retired in 1997. to take strolls, go to church together, watch They also had four more children, Mar- nie, Jason, Sara and Julie. hockey tournaments and just hang out. Throughout the years, Dianne was a “We didn’t have a lot of money so we stay-at-home mom. She also started pro- did things that didn’t cost anything,” she viding child care for people. Since she and said. Jay wanted their children to attend college, There wasn’t any big proposal from ei- ther of them. Marriage was just something the money she made from providing child care was given to their children to help pay they had talked about and it was just the for their college tuition. next step in their journey. In addition, to supplement their income, Dianne said she recalls when she told Jay had a second job and worked at a gas her mom, Helen, that she and Jay wanted By SHEILA MCCOY Staff Writer LET US HELP WITH YOUR Wedding Day Make your reservations now! Staff photo by Sheila McCoy Dianne, left, and Jay Spillum celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary in December 2019. station for five years. Looking back at their marriage, Jay and Dianne said it has been a good journey. To them, the secret to having a long and suc- cessful marriage is to work at it together. “You give a little and you take a little,” he said. As any couple, they’ve encountered a few bumps in the road along the way, but nothing major. “Mostly we agree on a lot of things. There were a few things we disagreed on,” he said. (Continued on Page 11) Weddings, Groom’s Dinners, Bridal Showers Full Bar & Kitchen Seating up to 400 2 MILES NORTH OF THE HWY. 210 & 371 JCT. IN BAXTER ON EDGEWOOD DR. Sales & Rentals 218-828-2127 • www.PartyWorldBrainerd.com “Everyone was so helpful and great to work with! We are so thankful we went with you guys!” A wide variety of Accessories & Shoes! Bridal Gowns, Tuxedo’s, Bridesmaids, Flower Girls, Proms and Mom Dresses Arlene’s Bridal & Tuxedo Shop Locally Owned For Over 35 Years 721 Laurel Street Brainerd, MN 1-218-829-9766 Call 320- 584-5135 for reservations & information Royalton POST 137 American Legion