These days, successful happy marriages often feel like a thing of the past. With divorce rates skyrocketing over recent decades and less people choosing to even ‘tie the knot, it can only be said that the institution of marriage seems to almost be gradually made obsolete.
Despite this, i am a romantic and still believe in the very real possibility of long-lasting, powerful bonds between two individuals who truly love each other. It’s of course a lot of hard work, commitment and perhaps that’s why these days marriages are not lasting as they used to: we live in a ‘fast-food world’ where instant gratification is everything.
But here’s how one Hollywood couple explain their lasting success.
These days, successful happy marriages often feel like a thing of the past. With divorce rates skyrocketing over recent decades and fewer people choosing to even ‘tie the knot, it can only be said that the institution of marriage seems to almost be gradually made obsolete.
Despite this, I am a romantic and still believe in the very real possibility of long-lasting, powerful bonds between two individuals who truly love each other. It’s of course a lot of hard work, commitment and perhaps that’s why these days marriages are not lasting as they used to: we live in a ‘fast-food world’ where instant gratification is everything.
But here’s how one Hollywood couple explains their lasting success.
Delta Burke and Gerald McRaney have truly survived the test of time — over 30 years of time in fact. The long-time couple met in the 1980s and the chemistry was instant.
Delta was cast as a guest star on Simon & Simon, which her then husband-to-be was the star on. As soon as Gerald caught sight of Delta, he knew he wanted to be with her. It was, simply put, love at first sight.
Neither Delta nor Gerald had been actively looking for love and a relationship, but nothing could keep them separated when they met.
But Delta was quite the popular girl, and many men were pursuing her. Gerald knew he’d have to get his act together quick if he was to have a chance with her.
“I wasn’t going to let her get away,” Gerald, now 774, explained. “I already had competition. There were people asking her out on dates, and I was going to move in right away.”
And moving in right away is precisely what Gerald did. He proposed to Delta on their second date – even though his friends advised him not to marry a famous and busy actress.
“Why not?” McRaney snapped back. “They’re the only people who understand this insanity. And she does. If I’m on location, and I don’t call her until 2 o’clock in the morning, no big deal. She knows.”
Delta said yes. They married two years later, in 1989. In front of 400 guests, the duo tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony set in the Los Angeles Biltmore Hotel. After that, Delta and Gerald went on a honeymoon that would stay in their memory forever. Before settling down in their Pasadena home, the couple traveled to Italy, Austria, West Germany, and France.
It was Delta’s first marriage, but McRaney’s third.
“Everybody thought we were crazy. They didn’t trust us or believe us,” Delta told People. “But we both knew right away this was the one.”
Now, 33 years later, they are still madly in love. But above and beyond that, the couple explains that taking care of one another is absolutely key in their relationship.
For more than 30 years, the couple has been there for each other through it all. One of the biggest struggles has been coping with Burke’s fluctuating weight due to her Type 2 Diabetes. Delta credits the endless support of her husband, who she thanks for helping her “bounce back.”
Gerald supported his wife in every way and their love appeared boundless.
“He reminds me what I should be doing or shouldn’t be eating,” Delta said. “He likes to give me my (insulin) shots and says it makes him feel like he’s taking care of me.”
Delta and Gerald never had any children, but McRaney has adult kids from his prior marriages. So this lovely couple is just as happy as can be and they have a lot of time for themselves.
“All my friends tell me I look younger and happier since I’ve known her,” says Gerald. “I’m more vital and in better shape physically than since my mid-20s.”
“As a man, I’ve had the love of the finest woman I could possibly imagine,” he adds.
What a beautiful story of love and commitment! Beautiful and loving couple that’s been together for over three decades – quite an achievement.
Share Delta and Gerald’s beautiful love story with your family and friends to let them know true love and devotion does still exist.
