David and Betty Pleasant were just 16 years old when they met in South Carolina, but what began as a spontaneous night out would turn into a marriage that has spanned more than seven decades.

One evening, Betty’s sister invited her boyfriend over, and he brought along a friend — David. Betty already had plans with another date, but she canceled to go riding around with the group instead. By the end of the night, she and David were together.

A year later, the teenagers made a decision that would shape the rest of their lives. On Feb. 7, 1954, following a Sunday night church service, the couple quietly married with only David’s mother and sister present. They kept the news from Betty’s parents for three days before sharing their secret and moving into her parents’ upstairs bedroom. Not long after, they rented their first home for $35 a month.

The couple eventually welcomed four children. After spending time farming in Ocala alongside Betty’s parents, where their fourth child was born, the family later moved to Lake County. David began a career in building products, and although they spent several years living out of state, they returned to Florida in 1995.

Today, David and Betty live in the Water Oak community in Lady Lake and are celebrating 72 years of marriage. Their growing family now includes nine grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great-grandchildren.

Reflecting on their journey, the couple offers advice shaped by experience.

“Well, I don’t know if I would recommend marrying so young,” they say. “It was hard at times, but we made it. Every marriage has its ups and downs, but we believe having God in our hearts brought us through. You have to learn to forgive and be patient; God will work it all out.”