Editor’s note: To celebrate Valentine’s Day, InMaricopa News interviewed six local couples to get their take on what brought them together and what keeps their love strong. For a little longer version of their stories, we focus on one couple each day online through Feb. 14.
Lucia and Eddie Rodriguez both work for the city of Maricopa. Lucia, 50, is an administrative assistant for the human resources department and Eddie, 51, is the city’s deputy fire marshal.
The couple met at Maricopa High School, where Eddie took Lucia to the prom in 1977. It was not love at first sight for either of them, each taking time to get to know the other person until they felt the same way.
Lucia said she was impressed with Eddie’s dedication to the MHS band.
“Eddie played the trumpet for Maricopa High School and took pride in playing with the band. Eddie was very honorable, and a very hard worker.”
The couple will celebrate 33 years of marriage in June.
“We keep the spark by making time for one another, planning weekend getaways, quiet dinners for two, and time to go dancing,” Lucia said.
"And, knowing we both need some time for ourselves. Mine is a manicure-pedicure and coming home and watching a movie, or reading a good book.”
For Eddie, private time means, “Picking up my guitar and going to my man cave where I crank up the music with the amplifier and have a jam session.”
The couple agreed keeping the spark in a relationship is a daily effort.“You compliment each other’s strengths, and try to overlook each other’s weaknesses,” Lucia said. “This is ongoing, which is why some couples don’t make it. You both have to work toward the commitment you made to one another.”
The couple advises other couples to enjoy each other’s company and learn to enjoy the things they have in common, and build on that foundation. They said their grandson is key to a happy future.
“Grandchildren complete the circle of love,” Lucia said.
And romance these many years later?
“My definition of romance isn’t the same definition I had when I was in my 20s or in my 30s,” Lucia said. “It has grown deeper and much more realistic. It’s a bond that we have promised to each other to support one another and respect each other every day of our lives.”
