A Love to Last a Lifetime

REALLY? 60 years married and still as much in love with each other as they were 60 years ago?

We join Walter and Cashie Lehto in celebrating Cashie’s birthday on September 5th, Walter’s birthday on September 8th, and their 60th Wedding Anniversary on August 26th this year. We feel honored that they visited TheraV Family Massage for their therapeutic massage cum “family” bonding with us as a major part of their 3-point celebration.

In the spirit of FAMILY, we’d have wanted to confer to them the title of PhD in Marriage. Alas, TheraV is not licensed to do that. But we take the liberty of extolling their resilient love that has kept their commitment towards each other unshakeable, faithful and true. Still, we marvel... 60 years? How did they manage that? Well, from what we know of them, we believe that the following are the main factors that have contributed to their success:

1. UNUSUALLY STRONG ATTRACTION FROM THE VERY START.

They were very attractive in their youth. It would be easy to imagine that before they met, they’d be having, changing, and counting sweethearts left and right. But No. They were not the type who would easily commit their heart to anyone, unless he/she was the special one. Believe it or not, Walter and Cashie were each other’s very first and only sweetheart…. yeah, up to now! As a matter of fact, when we asked them how Walter proposed to Cashie, he said: “FORGOT TO PROPOSE”. And Cashie confirmed: “He never really proposed. We just started talking about getting married.” That only goes to show no prior experience with romance… no practice… they had no clue that a proposal was part of the process.

2. BECAUSE THEY WERE SERIOUSLY IN LOVE, THEY GOT MARRIED.

At the start it was their physical eyes that saw their physical beauty. As their romance blossomed, it was the heart’s eyes that saw their inner beauty, dependability, and worthiness. Cashie: ”He is sincere – modest – kind – his family comes first – dependable – not self-centered – empathy for others. For Walter: “LOVE EVERYTHING (ALMOST) ABOUT HER. INTELLIGENT, LOVING. FANTASTIC MOTHER AND WIFE, FAMILY FIRST.”

3. BECAUSE THEY GOT MARRIED, THEY STAUNCHLY STAYED IN LOVE.

Cashie: We’ve had our ups and downs… mostly ups.” Walter: “60 YEARS WENT BY SO FAST LIKE THE SNAP OF YOUR FINGER.”

3.1 WHAT’S THEIR FORMULA FOR HAVING “MOSTLY UPS” THAN “DOWNS”? Walter: “BE BEST FRIENDS.” Cashie: “Finding things you enjoy doing together. Being best friends. Respect each other, and be patient with each other.” They really are creative, resourceful, and persevering in discovering things and activities that they enjoy doing together, whatever the situation they find themselves in. They simply have little time and energy left to wallow in issues to quarrel about.

3.2 STILL, THE “DOWNS” CANNOT BE TOTALLY AVOIDED. HOW DO THEY RESOLVE THEIR CONFLICTS? Cashie: “We have always been willing to talk and work out our differences without yelling (highlighting ours).”

It is our pride and joy that Walter and Cashie are part of the ever-growing TheraV family of respectable and precious VIP’s. They were among the pioneers, having been with us since we started almost 4 years ago. We are elated to learn that they have been telling their friends about TheraV. Walter: “PRIOR TO COMING TO THERAV I WAS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH LOWER BACK PAIN AND SCIATICA. I WENT THROUGH THE USUAL ROUTINE, PAIN MEDS, PT THEN SPINAL INJECTIONS. AFTER MASSAGE THERAPY I HAVE NO BACK PAIN OR SCIATICA AND NO MORE SPINAL INJECTIONS.THANKS TO ALL THE MASSAGE THERAPISTS AT THERAV. THEY ARE VERY PROFESSIONAL AND ARE CONCERNED WITH OUR WELL BEING.” Cashie: “ They give wonderful massages. Always educating themselves and learning new techniques, such as medi-cupping, Ashiatsu, Thai, Deep tissue and Relaxing massage. Clean facilities, caring and friendly. Vilma works on my scar tissues I have from hip and knee surgeries. Has helped my sciatica. Very caring. Knows where to work on my body. I have less pain now. Relaxes me.”

To Walter and Cashie – All our best wishes and love. - TheraV