COTTAGE GROVE, Ore. -- After 71 years of marriage a Cottage Grove couple renewed their vows on celebrate Valentine’s Day.

Mariam and Ward Gross tied the knot on May 21, 1948, when Mariam was 22 and Ward was 23. Both said nothing changed too much from their original vows because the last seven decades have been full of happiness and love. Ward said the secret to a long lasting marriage is peacefully resolving arguments and keeping open communication.

“We never went to bed angry but by the next day we would state our position,” Ward said. “You generally compromise or agree that the other one was right.”

However, Mariam said there was one slip up over the years.

"He forgot about our anniversary one time," Mariam said. "I kidded him about it."

Ward said he learned from that to never forget their anniversary. Mariam said he's never stopped loving him through thick and thin.

"I loved him from the moment I met him," Mariam said.