'Every Day Feels Like Valentine's Day': LI Couple Speaks On Sharing Marriage, Business — And Always, Love

GREENPORT, NY — Rena and Jason Wilhelm, owners of The Weathered Barn in Greenport, celebrate Valentine's Day every day — sharing a lifetime bond and a well-loved business, their inspiring story is a testament to the power of enduring love.

This Valentine's Day, the couple spoke with Patch about the moment they first knew they'd found their destiny.

"We met in 1998 on a dating site called 'Love at AOL' — back when online dating felt like a wild leap of faith," Rena said. "We both had profiles listed in the NYC and suburbs category, but there was one small detail: Jason was actually living in Arizona at the time and hadn’t updated his location. After a few days of messaging, he finally broke the news that he was across the country."

But despite the twist, the couple knew they'd found something special.

"Instead of ending things there, we kept talking," she said. "A few weeks later we exchanged phone numbers. What I didn’t know at the time was that the numbers 37 and 237 had been a recurring theme throughout Jason’s life. And sure enough, my phone number began with 237. For him, it felt like fate tapping him on the shoulder."

Fate, and Cupid, clearly had a plan.

"Not long after, Jason moved back to Long Island," Rena said. "I was living in Westchester, where I grew up, and he was on the North Shore of Long Island — about 45 minutes away. From our very first conversations, we had an almost ridiculous amount in common. In fact, there was a boy from my neighborhood that I grew up with that ended up moving to Long Island. That boy ended up being one of Jason's best friends in high school. Proof that it really is a very small world."

Soon, the couple faced seemingly daunting challenges — but their commitment, even from the first, helped carry them through.

"We fell in love quickly. But about six months into our relationship, Jason was diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy and was facing the possibility of losing his eyesight," Rena said. "Instead of pulling us apart, it brought us even closer. At one of his many doctor’s appointments, sitting together and facing uncertainty head-on, we decided we would get married. In that moment, it wasn’t about romance — it was about partnership. We knew we wanted to face whatever life brought, together. We’ve been by each other’s side ever since."

Last October, she said, the couple celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary.

Something, Rena said, "we’re incredibly proud of. Our wedding was very DIY. We paid for everything ourselves and did it as frugally as possible. We’ve never been fancy people, and we aren’t now. What we had was an amazing day surrounded by family and friends, filled with love and laughter."

For their 25th anniversary, Jason surprised Rena by having their old VHS wedding video converted into a digital file.

"We sat and watched it together — a little older, a little wiser — laughing at ourselves and remembering just how far we’ve come," Rena said. "Twenty-five years later, that same partnership — built on love, resilience, humor, and showing up for each other — is still the foundation of everything we do."

When asked about how the couple celebrates Valentine's Day, Rena said no one day is enough to encompass the bond they share.

"This may sound corny, but for us, every day feels a little like Valentine’s Day. Of course, we’ll put in a little extra effort on February 14th — maybe make special dinner plans or exchange small, meaningful mementos — but after 25 years of marriage, it’s not a monumental occasion. Our love isn’t something we save up for one day a year. It’s in the everyday moments. We’re genuinely grateful to have each other, and that gratitude shows up year-round — in the way we work side by side, support each other, laugh together, and navigate whatever life throws our way."

It's impossible, she said, to pinpoint the “best” Valentine’s Day they've ever had. "Because chances are, we were probably working!" she laughed. "But since we work together, anyway, that actually makes it more special. Sharing not just a home but a business means we get to spend our days together — and that feels like a gift in itself."

For some, living and work together might prove challenging —but for Rena and Jason, the magic is in sharing every moment, small and big.

"Living and working with your true love isn’t for everyone — it takes a certain dynamic, a lot of trust, and a healthy sense of self," Rena said. "For us, it works because we have clearly defined roles at work. We each know what we’re responsible for, and instead of getting in each other’s way, we truly balance each other out. We rely on one another’s strengths and respect each other’s lanes. It's a true partnership."

Another big factor is that their business isn’t high-stress, she said. "Most days, we’re actually laughing. A lot."

One piece of advice to any couple — whether they work together or not — would be to make sure their senses of humor are compatible, Rena said.

"Life will throw curve balls. Health scares, financial stress, unexpected detours — we’ve had our share. Being able to laugh together, even in the hard moments, is everything. At the end of the day, we don’t just share a business. We share a life. And when you can laugh your way through both, that’s when you know you are with the right person."

When asked about the romantic gestures that have been most memorable, Rena reflected.

"Jason is by far the more romantic one in this relationship. As a creative person, my head is usually in a hundred different directions at once. His, however, is always focused on me and my happiness. He keeps me grounded. He makes me feel safe. And to me, that in itself is the most romantic thing of all," she said. "Every gesture of Jason's is romantic — even something as simple as bringing home my favorite cookie just because he knows it will make me smile. It’s never about extravagance. It’s about thoughtfulness. I will say having our wedding video converted was probably the most thoughtful. "

The couple finds joy in the little moments that make up a wonderful life.

"We live very simply, so it truly doesn’t take much to make either of us happy. The romance in our marriage isn’t about grand displays — it’s in the everyday care, the steady presence, the quiet acts of love," she said. "More than anything, we both recognize how lucky we are to have each other. And that awareness — that gratitude — makes even the smallest gestures feel extraordinary."

If asked to give advice to couples just starting out on their journey, both agreed: "Life is short. We’re reminded of that often. If there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that to love and be loved is truly everything. If you have that, you are already rich in the ways that matter most. Mutual respect is essential. Never take each other for granted. The small courtesies, the appreciation, the acknowledgment of what your partner brings to your life — those things are what keep a marriage growing over time."

They added: "It’s also important not to place too much value on material things. Life can change in an instant. If your foundation is built on 'stuff,' it’s fragile. But if it’s built on partnership, resilience, and genuine love, you can weather almost anything. At the end of the day, your relationship has to matter more than anything you own. I have often said that if I had to live in a tent I'd be fine as long as Jason was with me."

The profound love they share has spilled over into their shop; customers walking in can immediately feel the warmth.

"It’s something we reflect on often," Rena said. "When we ask ourselves why our business works — why people feel so connected to it — we always come back to our relationship."

Over the years, she said: "We’ve learned that customers genuinely enjoy engaging with an owner. At our shop, they get to engage with both of us. They don’t just walk into a store — they walk into our shared world. And I truly believe our energy together sets the tone."

The couple's entire business concept is really a mood, she said. "It’s warm, welcoming, relaxed, and a little bit joyful. If Jason and I weren’t in sync, if there was tension or disconnect between us, it would absolutely shift that feeling. People can sense authenticity. They can also sense when something is off. Because we balance each other so naturally — and because we genuinely enjoy being together — that harmony spills out into the space. Customers feel it. They linger. They open up. They return. In many ways, our relationship is woven into the fabric of the shop. It’s not just part of our story — it’s a significant part of our success."

When asked how, with both so busy at the store, and Rena tirelessly shepherding the Greenport Skate Park project forward, the couple finds time to unplug and focus on their relationship, she said it's all woven into their shared days.

"In many ways, we feel fortunate that we don’t have to work too hard at 'unplugging' because we spend the bulk of our day together already. Working side by side at the shop is time together — it’s built into our life," she said. "When we get home, we fall into a rhythm that feels comfortable and natural. Jason usually does the cooking (which I happily support!), and I tend to keep creating or working on projects even after we’ve left the shop. We always sit down to enjoy dinner together and unwind with a favorite show."

And, she added: "We also give each other space. Sometimes that means vegging out separately for a bit — reading, scrolling, decompressing in our own ways. And before you know it, it’s time for bed. The truth is, we don’t overthink our relationship or constantly 'work' at it. We’re each other’s best friends. It feels pretty effortless."

Some other couples with similar values have been shining examples of how to marry love with business, Rena said.

"We have very close friends whose paradigm is almost identical to ours. They’re an extraordinary couple with a storefront and a similar business model. Watching them operate — both in business and in marriage — is like watching true partnership in action. There’s respect, balance, humor, and a clear understanding that they are on the same team."

She added: "There’s also another local couple in business together who share a very similar outlook. Interestingly, both of these couples have been together about as long as Jason and I have. And in both cases, it’s obvious — they are each other’s best friends. In my opinion, that’s the only way this dynamic truly works. What they all share is the ability not to take life too seriously. They know how to enjoy each other. They laugh. They adapt. They roll with challenges instead of resisting them. To me, couples who can build that kind of foundation — friendship first, ego last, humor always present — are the ones who can weather whatever life throws their way. "

When asked the best piece of relationship advice the couple has ever received, they agreed: "Never take the other person for granted."

And, for those hoping to find an extra-special Valentine's Day gift, The Weathered Barn is stocked up with romantic choices.

"I had a lot of fun making a few of them myself," Rena said. I created heart ornaments out of salt dough that are perfect to hang from a branch or tie onto a gift bag for a little extra charm. I also sewed heart-shaped lavender sachets for the holiday — simple, sweet, and filled with something calming and thoughtful."

And, she said: "Beyond that, we have so many meaningful gift options. Our hand-stamped vintage teaspoons that say 'You Are Loved' are always special. Handmade ceramic mugs paired with beautiful tea make such a cozy and heartfelt gift. We also carry home fragrance, bath and body products for a romantic and pampering experience, and one-of-a-kind handmade jewelry. Truthfully, most of the items in our store can be a wonderful Valentine’s gift. It’s less about the price tag and more about the intention behind it. When something is chosen thoughtfully, it carries meaning — and we’re grateful to have a shop filled with pieces that help people express that love."

On Valentine's Day — and every day — the couple has a singular message that defines their shared story: "Thank you for loving me."