Valentine's Day Story: Maryland couple celebrates 73 years of marriage

By Timothy Cox

for Westminster Patch

CARROLL COUNTY, MD -- When it comes to Valentine's Day, there are very few people nationally who can claim to have celebrated more than seven decades of the special holiday -- set set aside for Lovers. For James "Jim" Schollian and his longtime wife, Dorothy Shanklin Schollian, their love story officially began on Nov. 5, 1951 when the twosome exchanged vows in Parkville, Maryland.
Therefore, Valentine's Day 2025 also marks the Finksburg, Md. couple's 73 years of marriage. Mr. Schollian is 95, his wife is 93. Finksburg is six miles south of Westminster, the county seat of Carroll County.
Before retiring at age 58, Mr. Schollian spent 28 years in the Navy, including stints as a fighter pilot during the Korean War. He said he flew the F9F Panther, F2H Phantom and F-4H Phantom planes during his active military years. He later worked as an engineer.
Prior to the military, Mr. Scholian played tennis and ran track at Pascagoula High School in Mississippi, where he graduated in 1948. After leaving the military, he attended the University of Maryland from 1954 -1958 and earned an electrical engineering degree from the College Park campus.
He credits his wife for being the "ultimate military wife," who helped raise their five children, amid several travel deployments throughout the world. The couple now have a combination of 26 grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Mr. Schollian said. He was born Nov. 2, 1929.
When asked about secrets to such a long and happy love experience, both Schollians agreed that "friendship, respect and not to take your spouse for granted" were special keys to a healthy relationship.
The couple also stay physically active and remain in-tune with new technology. Both are computer savvy and communicate with their family members via smart phones and FaceTime video apps. (Reach Timothy Cox at teacawks2@gmail.com)