Couple in Their 90s Discover Shocking Detail on Marriage Certificate

Ed and Sally Wagner thought they were celebrating their 75th wedding anniversary, but a records search revealed they were actually one year shy of the milestone.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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Ed Wagner, 95, and Sally Wagner, 92, were preparing to celebrate their 75th wedding anniversary on February 9th. However, their son-in-law uncovered their marriage certificate during an Ancestry.com records search, which revealed they actually wed in 1952, not 1951. The couple, who first met as high school students in Pennsylvania, shared memories of their wedding day and the challenges they faced during Ed's service in the Korean War. Now in their golden years, they continue to enjoy each other's company and their growing family.

Why it matters

This story highlights the importance of verifying historical records, especially when it comes to significant life events like marriages. It also showcases the enduring love and commitment of a couple who have weathered decades of change together.

The details

Ed and Sally Wagner were planning to celebrate their 75th wedding anniversary on February 9th. However, their son-in-law, Mark Aitken, recently conducted an Ancestry.com records search and discovered their marriage certificate, which revealed they actually wed in 1952, not 1951. The couple, who first met as high school students in East Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, tied the knot on an "unseasonably warm winter day" on February 9, 1952, at the First Presbyterian Church of Winchester in Virginia. Their wedding was motivated by both love and practicality, as Ed had been drafted into the Army and would leave just nine months after their wedding to serve in the Korean War.

  • Ed and Sally Wagner were planning to celebrate their 75th wedding anniversary on February 9, 2026.
  • Their son-in-law, Mark Aitken, recently conducted an Ancestry.com records search and discovered their marriage certificate, which revealed they actually wed in 1952, not 1951.
  • Ed and Sally Wagner were married on February 9, 1952.

The players

Ed Wagner

A 95-year-old man who was preparing to celebrate his 75th wedding anniversary with his wife, Sally.

Sally Wagner

A 92-year-old woman who was preparing to celebrate her 75th wedding anniversary with her husband, Ed.

Mark Aitken

The son-in-law of Ed and Sally Wagner who uncovered their marriage certificate during an Ancestry.com records search.

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What they’re saying

“When you're married this long, who cares?”

— Sally Wagner (The Tribune-Review)

“I told her, 'We might as well get married.' 'That way, you'll be getting the money from the service if anything happens to me.'”

— Ed Wagner (The Tribune-Review)

“I had three brothers and a husband in the service all at one time, and that was worrisome.”

— Sally Wagner (The Tribune-Review)

“I don't know what I would have done without her.”

— Ed Wagner (The Tribune-Review)

“We're both here for each other, and the love is still here.”

— Sally Wagner (The Tribune-Review)

The takeaway

This story serves as a reminder that even the most significant life events, like a wedding anniversary, can sometimes contain unexpected details that require verification. It also highlights the enduring love and commitment of a couple who have weathered decades of change together, proving that the length of a marriage is not as important as the strength of the bond between partners.