On Saturday May 25 Ruben and Dora Betancourt will be celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary. Their love has lasted through the years and is just as strong today as it was in the beginning.
Their love story began in Houston, Texas in September of 1955. She was 15 ½ years old at the time and he was 19. One of Dora’s friends had shown her a picture of Ruben and she commented to her friend that she thought he was very cute. That friend passed that message along to Ruben who wasted no time. The very next day he showed up at Dan Ross, the drug store where Dora was working!
He boldly walked up to her and asked her out. Soon after they went on their first date together. Ruben took her to see a movie; however he recalls, “We can’t remember the name because we weren’t really paying too much attention!” Ruben was so taken with Dora but that by the end of the date that night he had asked her to be his girlfriend. She was so smitten that she, of course, said yes.
Ruben was Dora’s first boyfriend and love. Despite being chased after by other girls, Ruben only had eyes for Dora. He remained loyal and devoted to her during their courtship for the next two years. Ruben was ready to make the commitment; he decided to propose to Dora. Again, she said yes.
During their engagement period and wedding planning Ruben traveled to Houston, Texas to work with his future brother-in-law for a few months before returning to Dora in Brownsville, Texas. On May 25, 1958 Dora and Ruben tied the knot and have been inseparable ever since.
They decided to return to Houston where there was work and to begin their lives. They started a family with the birth of their first son, Ruben in 1959, followed by their second son, Fabian in 1960 and their daughter, Cynthia in 1963.
In 1968 the happy couple, along with their children moved back to Brownsville to continue working. They stayed there for one more year before making the big move to Harbor City, California. Both Ruben and Dora had new jobs waiting for them in California. Dora was to work as a seamstress and Ruben as a roofer. With both of them making a living and the rest of the kids in school the last of their children was born, Elizabeth, in 1970.
Dora soon started working for a company called Steelcase Inc. as a seamstress in 1977. Shortly following, Ruben got a job at the same company as a spot welder in 1978. They worked for different departments but would still take the occasional lunch together. When their schedules permitted they were even able to drive to and from work together.
They worked together for the same company for the next 20 years, at which time they decided it was time to retire. In 1998 they decided it was time for the family to make another move. Ruben and Dora purchased a 2-story home right here in Moreno Valley. Dora loved her new home because it had a pool, something she had always dreamed of.
They lived there for the next 2 years before finding a bigger home in the same town. This would be the home that they would make into a loving place for everyone for the next 18 years.
Happily living their lives together, it was in 2012 that Dora’s health took a turn for the worse. She suffered from a brain aneurysm and was rushed into emergency surgery. During the surgery she suffered a stroke and was left partially paralyzed on the left side of her body. It was one of the most difficult times not only for the family, but for Ruben.
Ruben recalls that it was his love for her that kept him going strong. The unwavering loyalty and devotion he showed in the beginning of their courtship remained his character as he stayed by her side everyday while she remained in the hospital. The recovery process was long and hard, 2 months of being in the hospital and daily physical therapy. In turn, Dora’s love for him kept her going strong when Ruben suffered from a heat stroke in 2015. He was in the hospital for 5 days and she was by his side, supporting and praying with him.
Although Dora was never able to fully recover from the stroke she is still going strong today with the love of her life by her side. Their eldest daughter, Cynthia, devotes her time to both Ruben and Dora in helping them take care of each other every day.
60 years later, they make sure to have breakfast together every morning. Dora eats her breakfast while reading the bible. Always sitting in the chair next to her, Ruben has his breakfast while reading the paper. Whether its coffee and toast or a full pancake breakfast these two love birds can be found side by side morning, noon, and night.
As they reflect on their years together, since first meeting they have shared countless laughs, outings to concerts such as Ronnie Milsap, George Jones, and various other artists. One of their favorite activities to do together is going dancing. Even now, at gatherings, it is such a sight to see the pair share the special moments of dancing to some of their favorite songs together.
When asked what has kept them in love and together for so long, both had similar answers, “We argue but never say anything hurtful, communication is the most important thing, and we always forgive the other, the love we started with, reminding each other of that love, our kids, and our faith in God.”
Ruben and Dora are a true inspiration for the foundation of marriage and give others hope that this type of love is possible and does still exist. Their love for each other is so strong and can be seen and felt when interacting with the pair. It is rare now to find and hold on to this love. Their marriage shows dedication to each other, patience, faith, understanding, and most importantly, an unbreakable love.
It is now 60 years, 4 kids, 17 grandkids, and 18 great-grandchildren later and their love is stronger than ever. City News Group wishes Ruben and Dora a very happy 60th anniversary and thanks the loving couple for inspiring hope and faith into us and our readers.