Born to be together from day one
(CBS News) Mount Vernon, NY - It's a real-life fairy tale with a happily-ever-after ending. We start at the once-upon-a-time beginning ..."on the road."
There's some truth to what they say -- that all a wife cares about is her husband's wallet.
If he carries a picture of their wedding in it, you know that's probably a pretty happy couple.
This weekend Bob and Dee Solano, owners of an Italian restaurant in Mount Vernon, New York, will celebrate 50 years of wedded bliss -- 50 years of a marriage that seemed to be destined from day one, long before their first date even.
Bob sort of remembered their first date together. "I believe we went to the movies," he said.
"We did?" asked Dee. "Or did we go to your house? No, no, no...I can't remember."
"I can't remember exactly," said Bob.
Fortunately, for the sake of this story, what they did on the date isn't as important as what they discovered on the ride home.
"I was stunned," said Bob.
Bob had just asked a Dee a simple question: "'When's your birthday?' 'May 8.' I said, 'That's my birthday. What year were you born?' '41.' I was born in '41."
"And then, what hospital?" asked Dee.
"Mount Vernon," said Bob.
Same hospital, same doctor -- just a few hours apart.
"I said, 'This can't be,'" recalled Bob.
For Bob, that sealed the deal right there. "I had no doubt in my mind," he said.
Was it meant to be? "Absolutely, match made in heaven," said Bob.
Sometimes finding true love isn't so much a search as it is a state of mind. Once you believe your lives are destined, the rest usually comes easy, for the most part.
"All give and take. A lot of forgiveness," said Bob.
"I did most of the giving," said Dee.
"Oh, stop!" answered Bob.
Of course, laughter helps too.
"She's stuck with me," said Bob.
This weekend, the Solano's four kids will be throwing them a party to celebrate the couple who came into this world pretty much back to back; spent the last 50 years side by side; and will no doubt stay together forever and ever.
To contact On the Road, or to send us a story idea, e-mail us.
