By Rob Herbst The Catholic Week SPANISH FORT — Jim and Cele Fibbe’s first date back in 1958 included a game of miniature golf. Cele’s certain she won, Jim isn’t as convinced. Regardless of the uncertain account of their miniature golf date, the Fibbes can share plenty of other memories throughout their 63 years of marriage. The Fibbes, who have been longtime parishioners at St. Mary Parish in Mobile, were one of 62 couples who celebrated their marriage at an Archdiocese of Mobile-sponsored Milestone Wedding Anniversary Mass throughout September. In all, the couples combined for 2,460 years of marriage. “We really have been blessed, there's no question about it,” Jim Fibbe said about he and Cele’s marriage. “We've always had a wonderful family. We've always had a job. We've had good support from family.” Masses for couples celebrating 1, 10, 25, 40 or at least 50 years were held at St. Philip Neri Parish in Belle Fontaine, St. Peter Parish in Montgomery, St. Columba Parish in Dothan and Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos Parish in Spanish Fort, where the Fibbes were one of several couples who renewed their vows on Sept. 14 during Mass celebrated by Fr. Jim Cink. The Fibbes’ story began as students at Auburn University. Jim played basketball at Auburn after arriving from Frankfort, Ky. Cele, two years younger, was born and raised in Mobile. Their Catholic faith helped connect the two. Both were raised Catholic and attended Auburn’s Newman Club at the time. Times were different back then as “there weren't probably 20 of us. Most people at Auburn had never even met a Catholic,” Jim said. Cele added their faith is one virtue that has been part of their foundation for 63 years of marriage. “Having the same religious faith helps, and the same moral values,” she said. “Faith, love, honesty, integrity and loyalty. Those are pretty good virtues to have.” While both shared the Catholic faith at Auburn, their relationship truly began at the Newman Club’s picnic to close the school year. Jim offered to drive Cele home and she took him up on it. Her first thought? “Well, I hope he calls me for a date.” That’s not exactly how it happened. Cele had to wait all summer, although Jim was interested. When the two returned to Auburn in the fall, Jim actively sought out Cele. “I knew she was in the School of Chemistry. In front of the chemistry building was a park-like area and I waited out there until the classes were over. And lo and behold, she came out. I said, ‘Hey, remember me?’ So that was the start of everything.” They began dating and were married Oct. 14, 1961, at St. Mary Parish. Their first two years of marriage were spent in Virginia when Jim was in the Army. The two spent some time in Huntsville, before returning to Mobile around 1966. Jim is a retired engineer and Cele has been an active community and parish volunteer. When reflecting on their marriage and lives – the highs and lows, the peaks and valleys – Jim simply stated “When you get to this stage you wonder, where did 63 years go?” Ed and Janet Antoine of St. Lawrence Parish in Fairhope also renewed their vows at Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos Parish on Sept. 14. It capped a special week of celebrating marriage. The couple attended the wedding of their grandson Alex and his wife Lacey only seven days prior at Sacred Heart Chapel in Battles Wharf – the same chapel for Ed and Janet’s wedding on Aug. 16, 1958. Along with reminiscing about their wedding, Ed and Janet offered a few bits of advice to the newly-married couple. After all, the Antoines have some credibly having been married for 66 years. “Oh they got a few (marriage tips), whether they wanted them or not,” Ed deadpanned. “But was it (St. Francis) who said ‘Preach (the Gospel) and sometimes use words?” “I think examples are important.” Ed and Janet have been a loving example for their six children, 19 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. One of the most important marriage tips they have regarding raising children – support each other. “When one of the kids wanted something, I’d say ‘have you talked to your dad?’” Janet said. After being told what Ed said, Janet would reply “’OK, that’s what it’s going to be.’ And (Ed) would do the same thing. Ed added: “When it comes to authority, I think we shared that. I backed her and she backed me.” Their Catholic faith has also been vital. Both were born and raised Catholic. Ed is originally from Mobile, while Janet was born in Wisconsin before moving to Fairhope as a child. “Faith and trust in God is so important,” Ed said. Ed’s profession mostly centered around electronics and Janet was mostly a homemaker raising their six children who were born within a 10-year span. Work took the couple to Texas before they settled in Fairhope in 1985. Ed attended McGill Institute and Janet attended Bishop Toolen High School. The two schools had a joint band that both were members of, although it wasn’t until Ed graduated from high school and attended a football game that he showed his interest in Janet. The two had a mutual acquaintance whom Ed asked “who the curly headed girl was down there, even though I knew.” Janet graduated from high school in 1957 and the two were married a year later when Ed was 21 and Janet was 18. “It was one of those teenage marriages that wasn’t supposed to last,” Janet joked. After 66 years of marriage it’s certainly “lasted.”