CARTERSVILLE, Ga. - Every year, on their wedding anniversary, a Cartersville couple heads to The Varsity. It's a tradition that has lasted for 58 years now.
Tom and Margaret Ward met when they were in elementary school after Tom's parents build a home next door to Margaret's house. The longtime Georgia residents grew up together and it wasn't long before they fell in love.
On March 22, 1958, they got married in Ringgold, Georgia. Together they have three children, eight grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, with another one on the way.
Every year, to celebrate their love for one another, they enjoy a simple meal at The Varsity. They always share a chili dog, onion rings and fries. The Wards call their unique tradition "V22.
Their first date was at The Varsity in downtown Atlanta, so it's a tradition that means a lot to them. However, their daughter, Bonnie Dunn, said driving downtown has gotten to be too much for her parents, so for the last five or six years they have been eating at the Town Center location in Kennesaw.
Tuesday, Margaret had to have surgery the morning of their anniversary, but that didn't stop them from going to The Varsity that night.
"She had surgery on her eye, but said 'no, it's our anniversary, we have to go!'" Dunn told FOX 5.
Dunn said her parents have unconditional love for each other.
"It's just crazy how much they love each other," she said.
Tom is 78-years-old and his beautiful bride turns 75 next month.
From all of us at FOX 5 News, happy 58th anniversary!