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Sylvia and Andy Taussig, Oklahoma City, OK

Advice to new couples:

"Friendship has been a key factor in our marriage; we enjoy being together. Additionally, commitment through the highs and lows is significant…Accommodating the other person's needs and being willing to apologize is also important. As the marriage continues, it is vital to grow together in your faith and values."

Nomination:

Andy and Sylvia Taussig have become one of the most inspiring couples we know because they continue to push themselves into unchartered territory and don't let their dreams be limited by conventions of comfort and routine.

Both children of missionaries, they met while attending school in Africa as teenagers. They have been married for over 30 years and lived what many would call the typical American dream: three beautiful children, a comfortable home and good jobs. Along this journey, they have always had a servant's heart.

Through church and countless other service opportunities, they have reached out to those who needed a hand. They happened upon an organization called Children of the Nations (COTN) that partners with children's home and school in Uganda. Sylvia and Andy began visiting the facility and encouraging their friends to sponsor some of the children there. At some point they realized they could do more and took a leap of faith by quitting their jobs and selling their home to move into a smaller one. They now work directly for COTN, spending several months of the year in Uganda while continuing to share with citizens of the U.S. how they can help in the effort to house and educate their "kids."

Papa T and Mama Sylvia (as the children of the school call them) have found a way to fulfill their own dreams of making the world a little better. An unintended side effect of living out that dream has been the inspiration they have shown to those of us lucky enough to be in their circle of friendship.

Nate and Tina Williams

Advice to the new couples:

"The more you invest in your marriage the more you get out of it…don't hold back from your spouse; give them all of you ---body, soul and spirit. Experience life together ---you will find it so much more enjoyable."

Nomination:

Nathan and Tina are both graduates of Douglass High School where they were high school sweethearts. They have been married for 27 years and have three children. For the past ten years, Tina has worked for the Oklahoma City Public School System and currently teaches English at Douglass High School and Nathan is a Software Engineer for Northrop Grumman Corporation as well as an ordained minister.

The two have faithfully committed their lives and relationship to being a positive influence on those growing up in northeast Oklahoma City. Nathan serves as a board member for Shiloh Camp, a non-profit organization that reaches out to at risk and disadvantaged youth to provide them with a life changing camp experience by enhancing character traits and building confidence. As a couple, Nathan and Tina are co-founders of Eye-to-Eye Marriage Enrichment Community, which works to strengthen and equip married and engaged couples. They relish the opportunity to "serve their generation and prepare the way for the next."

This couple inspires others through monthly, weekly and daily interactions. They have uplifting words for any individual or couple who has the awesome opportunity to be graced by their presence. They are wonderful friends, neighbors and community leaders who truly care about people.

Craig and Kristi Lofton, Oklahoma City, OK

Advice to new couples:

"It takes a sense of humor to make a marriage successful. You can't take things so seriously and you must find fun together. We may be dorks, but we have fun!"

Nomination:

Craig and Kristi decided to do something about their weight because they were both miserable, physically and emotionally. Ultimately they wanted to make sure they set healthy examples for their boys. In early 2011, Craig's doctor confirmed that his blood pressure was starting to become an issue, and Kristi feared that the Diabetes that several close relatives suffered, would become a critical problem for her as well.

Together they made the decision to get healthy. Through trial and error (and soaking up the knowledge of others), Craig and Kristi battled their eating habits together. They adapted a high protein, low carb/sugar diet and began exercising together, within a few months the weight began to fall off. Together they have lost over 100 pounds! What makes them special is that they did this together. They are best friends, partners and teammates.

With the change in their bodies, came the change in their lives and emotions. Craig and Kristi are so full of life and fun to be around. They now have the energy to take the kids out to do physical activities such as skating, and Craig and Kristi will be running their first 5K in 2012. Because they have been so successful, they are inspiring friends and family to jump on the healthy bandwagon. Their success is infectious and they will continue to embrace their new lifestyle and encouraging others to do the same.

Greg and Vonne Glitner, Oklahoma City, OK

Advice to new couples:

"By making our priorities God, family and career, we stayed focused on what was important to keep our commitment to our wedding vows. To make a marriage a success you need love, patience and support."

Nominations:

Greg and Vonne have dedicated their lives to being a couplet hat gives to others. While some might read this and think that by giving so much time and energy to others, that your marriage would suffer as a result. In fact, it is actually just the opposite. Through service to others they have strengthened their own marriage and have inspired hundreds of others during their 29 years of marriage.

Greg has been an Oklahoma City Police Officer for 22 years, and has served as Police Chaplin for the last ten. In this role, he supports police officers and their families during some of the most difficult times a family might face, including marital struggles. He is dedicated to keeping the marriages of police officers intact and strong. Greg regularly attends the Spousal Academy for the spouses of new police officers to help them understand the special challenges officers face and provide couples with the tools to effectively manage these stresses.

As a second grade teacher at Washington Elementary School, Vonne is known for being an exceptional teacher who cares about her students in the classroom and out. Through her work with the toy drive for the Department of Health and Human Services, she became aware of the need for good foster parents. Two years ago, after raising their own kids, Greg and Vonne became foster parents. In a short time they have provided love to a number of children, and soon will finalize the adoption of twin boys whom they've been fostering since they were just a few months old. A few years ago Greg was diagnosed with prostate cancer and during this time, I saw their love and dedication to each other.

My husband and I were lucky enough to meet them and they have always served as inspiration in our marriage and also on how to give to others. They are an example to everyone they are around, and I know they will continue to inspire others.

John and Bonnie Krueger, Blanchard, OK

Advice to new couples:

"We were young when we got married but neither of us ever believed that divorce was an option. You must decide to talk and listen to each other…always compromise, never try to win."

Nominations:

The marriage of John and Bonnie Krueger can be defined as a pinnacle of exceptional union and teamwork. They married young, she was only 15 and he was 18 (yes, they lied to county clerk about their age) and will celebrate 54 years of marriage in April. They both worked sup up to sun down and established their family while taking care of their own parents.

After living in Oklahoma for a number of years, my grandparents bought some land south of Blanchard. Everything they have on their little homestead, known as Krueger Kountry, was built by the hard-working hands of John.

Times were tough and money was scare and there were many mouths to feed (five children), but they never lost sight of their faith in God and his ability to do wonderful things. They never had the luxurious things in life, but they had the necessities and made a happy, fulfilling life for their family. They always did and still continue to give to others regardless of the circumstances. The simple acts of kindness that they have done for others would be a list a mile long.

Tragedy struck their marriage when their oldest son was killed in 1990. While his murder remains unsolved, this horrible tragedy (that would tear apart some families) brought John and Bonnie closer together. They never stopped believing in God or each other.

When John suffered a heart attack, Bonnie vowed to change her cooking of forty-some-odd years to include more healthy choices for both of them. She vows to live to 100 and he simply vows to live on something other than chicken every day of the week.

These two people have consistently modeled a healthy and inspirational marriage. A unity that seems to be unwavering, a love that seems to be an eternal flame of fire, camaraderie that is impervious to even the most devastating of circumstances. Their marriage is one that will continue to affect the way our entire family sees what Holy Matrimony truly means.

Enrique and Lidia Cepede, Oklahoma City, OK

Advice to new couples:

"The biggest assassin of a relationship is selfishness… this kills relationships so it is important to open your heart and avoid this at all costs. Also learn to forgive and ask for forgiveness. This promotes growth as a couple and, with God helping each other, allows each of you to grow in different aspects of life."

Nomination:

Enrique and Lidia Cepede have been married for 42 years. Dr. Cepede is the Director of International Studies at MidAmerican Christian University (MACU) a position that brought him from Mexico to Oklahoma. Lidia is director of Christian education at Crossings Community Church. Together, they collaborate with many organizations within the Hispanic community to teach seminars to business leaders as well as community organizations.

He specializes in teaching adults and she specializes in teaching children. They are a very loving and affectionate couple who love to help others as they empower them to have stronger relationships. Enrique and Lidia serve as volunteer counselors to prepare couples who are going to be married, and assist couples who are going through a difficult time in their relationship.

It is beautiful to see Enrique and Lidia together … he is always very respectful and affectionate towards her and jokes when he introduces her as "the owner of my paychecks." He also likes to tell people that they have been married 84 years... 42 years each!

Enrique and Lidia both express the importance of teamwork in their relationship. "She needs me and I need her." The Cepede's believe that with maturity comes the ability to share their differences, motivate each other, and be empathic. They give themselves heart and soul to others and have a personal mission to empower families to achieve their happiness and goals.