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Hawthorn Woods couple celebrates 53 years of marriage Valentine’s Day
Lake Zurich residents Lynn and Herbert Neumaier are celebrating 53 years of marriage this Valentine's Day. | Michelle LaVigne~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: March 15, 2013 12:47PM
HAWTHORN WOODS — Hawthorn Woods residents Lynn and Herbert Neumaier celebrated 53 years of marriage last month.
The Neumaier’s met in Chicago, shortly after Herbert had emigrated to the country from his native Germany.
“In Chicago, he moved next door to me with his friends,” said Lynn, who is originally from Chicago. “Back in those days, you sat on your front porch in the evenings.”
Lynn, who was 17 at the time, admitted she was impressed with 19-year-old Herbert’s Corvette and motorcycle.
“She came up to me and asked me for a ride in the car and so I gave her a ride and that was it,” said Herbert.
Lynn said she and Herbert began dating soon afterwards.
“I guess it was just love at first sight,” said Lynn. “Three months later, we were married.”
Lynn said their shared love of traveling has helped keep their bond strong over the years. She said they also enjoy golfing together.
“We have similar interests in what we do,” she said. “We love to travel. We manage to make one big trip a year.”
The Neumaier’s have traveled all over Europe, to Costa Rica, Egypt, Peru, China, Australia and Thailand.
They raised one son and now have three grandchildren, but they always just traveled as a couple.
“It’s been always us two together,” he said. “Once we see one country, we want to see a different country.”
Out of all the countries they visited, Lynn said China was the most interesting. They plan on continuing their world travels for as long as their health allows.
“It gives us something to look forward to,” said Lynn said, adding that Japan is on their calendar in May.
Locally, their most significant travels were from Chicago to a home in Mount Prospect and later to Hawthorn Woods, where they live in the house they designed together.
“We’re very happy about being in Hawthorn Woods,” Lynn said.
Aside from traveling, Lynn said it has taken a good sense of humor to stay married for more than five decades.
“You have to have humor and you have to compromise,” she said. “You grow together and you need each other.”
Herbert agreed that long-term marriage demands compromise.
“You have to give a little bit here and there to make it work,” he said. “She’s really strong and I’m really strong.”
When asked about Valentine’s Day this week, Lynn said she and her husband enjoy the holiday but do not have any specific Valentine’s Day traditions.
“We give Valentine’s Day presents to our grand kids, like little gifts,” she said. “This year, we’re going to Phoenix.”
