by Joan Aguon Charfauros
Guam - Today is Valentine's Day and for Francisco and Rosita Francisco - a couple that has been married for 61 years - it is a day where they celebrate their lasting love for one another. The Mangilao couple are the epitome of what "true love" really is. The duo has been married for over 61 years.
"I was raised in the Gutierrez area. My father used to work for NAS and then there was a couple that came to Guam and they stayed here - it was government property. They hired me like a nanny, so that is how we met," said Rosita.
Francisco, who stayed behind the property, said when he laid eyes on Rosita, she was wearing a floral mumu. "When I saw her I said, 'That's mine!' She is my first lady."
For Rosita, it took some time before she gave Francisco a chance. "He was okay," she said. "He was coming around and helping around the house and he drives us."
The two eventually would fall in love and get married in 1950. With the trials and tribulations most marriages go through, the Franciscos have been blessed with seven children, 23 grandchildren, and over 30 great grandchildren. "You know how marriage is? It's like gambling, that if you can't make it work, you'll fight. Even up to now, we'll still fight because he is very stubborn."
So what advice does the happy couple have to offer? "It's very hard. I know marriage is very hard but if you understand each other, you have to try and make it. You have to talk it out and see what you can do," said Rosita.
