72 years strong: Bakersfield couple celebrates seven decades together

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Not many couples make it seven decades together, but a couple of Bakersfield lovebirds sure make it look easy.

Wanda and Bill Diffee are celebrating their 72nd anniversary at 92 and 93 years old, respectively. It all started in high school.

“A friend of mine, we were going to go to the high school basketball game, and he had a sister with a bunch of these girls rented up too many for the car,” Bill Diffee said. “And after the game we just rolled around town. Been basically almost together since.”

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Hard times challenged their strong bond.

“Basically, I was in Korea at the time, and would just write letters back and forth, we kind of decided what we wanted to do. I was there for a year, a little over a year,” Bill said.

“We wrote letters every day,” Wanda Diffee said.

Four years after meeting, Wanda and Bill got married.

“”When we came out [of the church] it was raining and they always say that’s good luck, so I guess it was!” Wanda said.

But luck isn’t the only thing that’s made their marriage last. A good sense of humor is something they share.

“Right now? We’re not doing anything,” said Bill.

“We’re just alive! That’s it,” said Wanda.

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The secret to lasting this long?

“I figured it’s because we treat each other as equals, and whatever we do we don’t contradict the other person,” said Bill.

“Pick your battles, don’t make something big out of nothing, that’s what I’d say,” Wanda advises younger generations.

Four generations later, the Diffees have three children, six grandkids, and 11 great-grandchildren.

“Who’s getting old anyway?” Bill said.

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