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Couple married for 68 years follow this bedtime ritual every night — and it involves one question

The senior couple was aware of how the nighttime ritual impacted their long romance and helped develop a better understanding.

BY TIYASA BISWAS

PUBLISHED 1 DAY AGO

Don and Marilyn Barnett talk about their nighttime ritual. (Cover Image Source: YouTubue | @KGWNews8)

People often wonder about the secret to a long, successful marriage, but the real question lies in whether they are willing to put in the effort to do it. A couple married for nearly seven decades has one ritual that has fueled their flame of romance for 68 years now. Don and Marilyn Barnett from South Dakota made headlines when they revealed how a simple bedtime serenade for the wife, no matter where they are sleeping, is the secret to their undying romance, as reported by CBS News and CBS Evening News on Facebook.

Senior man playing a romantic song on acoustic guitar for his wife. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Halfpoint Images)

Every night, Don, 94, pops the question to his 93-year-old wife, “Want a song?” Marilyn’s reply has remained the same over the years: “Sure!” This well-preserved ritual has been a staple in their relationship to gain a better understanding of each other’s emotions, and also, Don is a great singer. The couple who live in Sioux Falls opened up about the ritual, enriching their bond every night. “I discovered a couple of things. First of all, it pleased her. And secondly, it calmed us. And if we had a disagreement or something before, it was gone by the time we went to sleep,” shared Don.

Back shot of a senior couple sitting on the edge of the bed. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Jessie Casson)

Meanwhile, Marilyn had all the reasons to “look forward” to this moment at night. “And he has a beautiful voice,” she said of the ritual that began 50 years ago. When Marilyn was admitted to the hospital for her hip injury, Don was not willing to negotiate their ritual. He reached her bed every night to sing for her, a gesture that seemed to be “simple” and “easy to do” for him. Marilyn added, "We wouldn't go to sleep without that." Their son, Doug, bears witness to this age-old ritual every night. His parents' relationship is bound to raise his standards of love.

According to Don, through his serenade, his wife realizes the kind of love he has for her and how he is also willing to go out of his way to express it. Also, it is way better than “Goodnight, honey.” KGW News (@KGWNews8) did a story on their iconic love story on YouTube. Historically, serenades were a nocturnal song of courtship, and by the beginning of the late 18th century, they emerged as an art form, per Britannica. Reports claim that serenade traditions are still alive in Italy. On the night before the wedding, the groom and his friends stand under the bride’s window and sing love songs.

A study published in PubMed Central states, “Without love, there may be no music.” It assessed the role of music and love songs in romantic relationships and concluded that it may help build passion in the early stages of a relationship and intimacy and commitment in the later phases. Therefore, Don and Marilyn’s persistent romance may be taken as an ideal example of how music keeps love alive, even more than half a century later. As we ponder the unique ritual between the couple, Don is likely busy thinking about the next romantic song he will be serenading his wife with tonight.