INSPIRATION: Venice couple celebrating 74 years of marriage share story of enduring love

Related video: A St. Petersburg couple celebrates their 80th anniversary.

SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — One couple is celebrating 74 years of marriage just ahead of the most romantic day of the year.

Ed and Lillian Schuch, of Venice, have shared the majority of their life together cherishing family, service, travel, and finding a home in Florida.

Lillian was born in 1928 on the south side of Chicago, and Ed was born in 1925 in Chicago. The pair met when Lillian was a senior in high school after her neighbor and friend introduced her to him at a dance. Ed was the cousin of Lillian’s neighbor’s boyfriend.

Florida Lotto ticket worth $45M sold in New Port Richey

The couple dated for two years before tying the knot in October 1948. Shortly after, they had two daughters, Deborah and Diane.

The family of four began traveling to Florida every year during their winter break while the kids were still in school. For the next 20 years, they would “snowbird” to St. Petersburg.

Ed and Lillian eventually moved to the Bradenton area, where they stayed for about 15 years.

Now, the pair are residents at Elison Assisted Living of Bella Vita, where they have been for the past four years. Their enduring love for each other inspires everyone in their community.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.