Married Almost 70 Years, Couple Shares Valentine's Day Love Story

NORTH FORK, NY- Frances and Jesse Jackson will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary on September 15 — and their story is a testament to the enduring magic of forever love.

The Jacksons, who live in The Shores, the skilled nursing and enriched living community at Peconic Landing in Greenport, may face medical challenges, but when they sit in their cozy living room, which includes soft leather chairs, a piano, a desk, balloons, and framed photographs of their children and grandchildren, the years fall away, and they’re still starry eyed as they share the story of their lifetime romance.

“We know a lot about love,” Frances, 89, said. “You have to, when you spend 70 years with the same man — and you’re so much in love with him.”

Jesse, 90, who counts legendary figures such as Stonewall Jackson in his family’s rich history, hails from Texas.

A V-Day Encounter

He met Frances, who lived in Garden City, in New York City, on Victory Over Japan Day, or V-J Day, in 1945.

“We were on Broadway, and it was packed, shoulder to shoulder. She hit me with a handful of confetti.” His eyes twinkled.

Frances was with her sorority sister from Adelphi College; Jesse, 18, was with a friend, both dressed in Navy white officers’ uniforms, waiting for assignment. “I turned around and tapped her on the shoulder and said, ‘May I have some confetti, please?’ She gave me a great handful and I hit her right in the face with it.” Both grin at the memory.

Jesse said he was smitten from the start. “She was the only girl that I ever danced with that did the old Texas two-step — and she never missed a step. She never missed a step.” He shook his head. “She knew rhythm. I couldn’t get over it. I said, ‘Boy, this is the gal for me.’”

When he shipped out, Jesse couldn’t get his beautiful dance partner out of his mind. “We went around the world. I was a Baptist, but I knew she was Catholic, so I’d stop at the Catholic church, where I had good conversations about being Catholic. In the end, we did get involved, and I converted to being Catholic. I believe in having one religion for the family.”

Frances’ maiden name was Milano, Jesse said. “She had five uncles and when I came into that family they told me I’d better be a good boy. So here we are — I must have been a good boy.” He smiled. Frances was an only child, her daddy’s princess, he said. “She was the apple of her father’s eye.”

Smitten from the Start

The years have been kind to the couple.

Gazing adoringly at her husband, Frances smiled. “It’s been wonderful ever since, honestly. We could not be more happy. Nobody could be more happy, really.”

The two don’t need fancy trips or possessions to find happiness, Frances said. “We can sit together and just talk and have a wonderful time.”

Jesse nodded. “Without spending a lot of money. We didn’t have to go to big affairs.”

Frances agreed. “We could do anything — as long as we’re together.”

Today, Jesse, who is in a wheelchair, said one of his greatest regrets is not being able to dance. “My biggest problem is my knees don’t work,” he said.

But the memories of the music and the dance floor are vivid; in their memories, they are dancing, together, still, hearing the music in their hearts and minds. “We danced so much,” Frances said.

The families meshed, Jesse said. “Her father was the greatest guy in the world. A real dad to me.” He went into business with Frances’ father at Riverhead Auto Parts. Frances was a fashion editor for the Mattituck Watchman and other local papers, he said, a position that afforded the couple the chance to meet local politicians and scores of neighbors.

The lovebirds built their own family, and a life together.

They have three children, five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. As their family grew, they lived in Aquebogue, where they spent days boating and taking family day trips on the water to Shelter Island and Connecticut. They’d also lived in Southampton.

“Every time we moved, we had another kid,” Jesse joked, adding that his tiny wife gave birth to babies that were 11.4, 9.9 and 8.9 lbs. each.

“They were all beautiful babies,” she said.

Their marriage was built on a rock-solid partnership, he said. “I was so busy working with her father, and she took care of the homefront. I gave her an allowance; she never wasted money. One time, we needed some money and she said, ’I’ll help you.’ She’d been putting something away, every week,” he said proudly.

Their children have always always given them joy, the Jacksons said, never causing any worry.

“The children were good, thank God,” Jesse said.

Reflecting, Frances said, “Never in our lives have we said, ‘I wish we didn’t do this,’ or ‘I wish we had done that.’ We’ve been so happy.”

A Love That’s Blossomed Over the Passage of Time

With a love story that spanned generations, Jesse said the couple has seen history unfold. “We lived in the best of time,” he said. “We saw everything.”

The pair said they’ve had years of fun, and recalled one special memory — meeting Jerry Lewis, born on the same day as Jesse. They were even able to go backstage and wish him a “Happy Birthday”, sharing cake.

But no matter where they went, or who they met over the years, as the world shifted and changed, the couple’s focus remained singularly focused on one another, on a love so strong it has only blossomed over the passage of time.

When asked the secrets to keeping their longtime love alive and vibrant, Frances smiled gently. “Jesse and I, we could just sit and talk. I really enjoy him. We don’t need anybody else.”

Jesse nodded. “Just each other.”

So many couples have friends, with the wives or husbands meeting up together to pursue separate activities, Frances said.

“We never did that. Anything we did for amusement, or anything else, we did it together.”

They both have found happiness on their latest journey to Peconic Landing, where they love their cozy space and spend hours doing what they have done for a lifetime, just talking and spending precious moments together. “They call this the honeymoon suite.”

When asked what has made their partner their lifetime valentine, Frances answered in a heartbeat: “He is everything for me.”

His eyes filled with tears, Jesse said his answer was the same.

As she walks her visitors to the door, Frances wraps her arms lovingly around her husband, kissing him gently. “Nobody could be happier,” she said.