Is Matching Required in Relationships?
Scientific studies have suggested that we are genetically predisposed to choose a partner with similar facial features to ours, but one Nebraska couple has taken this ‘look-a-like love’ thing to a whole ‘nother level. They have been dressing alike every single day for the past 35 years. Dear Lord.
When a couple dresses alike I automatically think “how Prom of them” (as Prom is actually an adjective, a verb and a noun, in case you weren’t aware), many partners tend to subscribe to this way of living. Take Brangelina, for example. If any man were to be forced to match his cummerbund to his lady’s lipstick, it would be Brad “The Sucker” Pitt.
On a slightly lesser (though much longer and more adorable) scale is Mel Schwanke, who has manfully agreed to mirror his wife, Joey, for more than half of their 65-year-long relationship.
But what would cause a couple to do something so…cheesy?
Joey, 81, has an answer: she believes that matching actually “enhances” her marriage.
She told the Huffington Post: “We’re of the old school where you get married once and that’s it. We’ve been together 24 hours a day at work and at home.”
“We joke that we’re connected by velcro because we do everything together.”
It’s true that they do everything together: in addition to seeing one another at home every day, they work together, as well. The two own a successful flower shop in Fremont, Nebraska.
This is why most of their 146-custom made outfits have a floral theme (her dresses match his ties).
Still. 65 years of constant togetherness has to make you think that they’re on to something given that the national divorce rate is now at over 50%.
Of course, it isn’t all because they dress alike that Joey and Mel have managed to stick together for so long. Love and respect has sustained their marriage; their clothing is mere proof of their togetherness.
“To this day, if he does something for me I thank him,” Joey says. “If we run into each other, we say excuse me. We fully respect each other and consider each other with every decision we make.”
Now THAT sounds like true happiness.
