‘Lasting Love’ Dinner Honors Long Island Couples Married 50+ Years

FARMINGDALE, NY — Long Island couples who have been married 50 years or more gathered Tuesday night to celebrate decades of commitment at the 4th Annual “Lasting Love” Valentine’s Dinner at Verona Ristorante.

Hosted by Cona Elder Law, the annual event is considered the largest gathering of Long Island couples married 50 years or more, bringing together partners who have spent decades building lives together.

Cona Elder Law focuses on elder law, estate planning, estate administration and litigation, and health care law. The firm takes a holistic approach to supporting older adults and caregivers while helping families plan for multiple generations.

During the evening celebration, couples shared memories, advice, and reflections on the keys to lasting relationships.

“There are a lot of things older adults can teach us, including the secrets of staying together,” said Jennifer Cona, founder and managing partner of Cona Elder Law. “Lessons of patience, of compromise. All those things that it takes to stay together for so long. This room is full of beautiful people who got it right.”

Each couple enjoyed a dinner that included appetizers, an entrée, and dessert, along with a glass of wine or cocktail.

Melissa Negrin-Wiener, senior partner at Cona Elder Law, also led a traditional toast honoring the couples’ relationship longevity.

Many attendees reflected on the personal qualities that helped their marriages endure for decades.

“We were friends before we fell in love and he’s still my best friend,” said Lena Gaynes of Melville, who has been married to her husband Paul for 65 years. “I think that has a lot to do with it.”

Other couples emphasized the importance of commitment and mutual support.

“It’s commitment,” said Gabriel Marques of East Meadow, who will celebrate his 50th wedding anniversary with his wife Maria in April.

“You have to love each other, respect each other and support each other,” Maria Marques added.