On March 17, 2026, James and Mary Beatty of Boerne, Texas will celebrate a truly rare milestone — their 70th Wedding Anniversary, known as the Platinum Anniversary.

Fewer than 1% of married couples ever reach 70 years together. It is a milestone reserved for a steady, faithful, enduring kind of love. And perhaps it’s fitting that their anniversary falls on St. Patrick’s Day — because if ever there were a couple touched by providence and a little grace, it is Jim and Mary.

Jim (92) was born November 10, 1933, in a rural town near Fayette City, Pennsylvania called Grindstone, and Mary (almost 90) in nearby Williamsport on March 26, 1936. Both grew up during the Great Depression, learning early the values of hard work and perseverance.

Their story began at a dance in McKeesport, PA.

Jim — 6’4″ and confident — spotted a striking 5’10” blonde across the room and knew he had to introduce himself. Mary thought the tall young man was handsome as well. That night sparked a courtship that would span seven decades.

Jim still jokes, “I married her because she had really nice teeth — I knew I wouldn’t have a lot of dental bills.”

Mary laughs, “I married him because he had a nice car that was already paid for.”

Behind the humor was something deeper: commitment.

At 18, Jim was already working in a steel mill — a demanding job that helped him buy that car. Only a few months after their wedding, tragedy struck. A massive pot of molten steel exploded, leaving Jim with severe third-degree burns. He spent 4-5 months in the hospital recovering.

Not the honeymoon they imagined.

By the grace of God, he recovered fully. He still proudly shows his scarred leg and deformed fingers and the tricks he can perform with them — reminders not of tragedy, but survival.

Divine protection had followed him even earlier. As a boy walking along railroad tracks, the roar of a passing steam locomotive train masked the sound of a second train chasing him down on the same tracks he was walking on. In what he describes as a prompting from God, Jim turned around and saw the train about to run him over and jumped off the tracks moments before the train rushed past. He has never forgotten it.

Mary and Jim charted their own course. In 1962, they left the Pittsburg area for San Antonio, TX with no family connections – just faith and each other. While many couples started families immediately, they chose to wait — traveling to Europe and Mexico (about 11 countries total in less than a year); they worked hard and built a foundation first.

In the early 1970’s, long before health food stores were mainstream, Jim and Mary opened a vitamin and health food business in San Antonio. They eventually owned and operated four successful stores. Jim’s encyclopedic knowledge and easy humor paired perfectly with Mary’s keen business sense and meticulous bookkeeping. While Jim worked long hours, Mary balanced business and motherhood with steady determination.

Mary was 36 when their first daughter was born, and nearly 41 with their youngest — uncommon at the time. Together they raised three daughters — Laura, Rhonda, and Rita — all graduates of Boerne High School.

Life brought blessings — and serious trials.

Mary battled breast cancer twice, including a Stage 4 diagnosis in her early 50s. After chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, and years of recovery, she overcame it — only to face cancer again nearly two decades later. She has been cancer-free ever since and says simply, “God wasn’t done with me yet.”

At 89, Jim survived yet another ordeal while trimming oak trees at home. “I didn’t fall,” he says with a grin. “The ladder fell.” The accident resulted in multiple surgeries, a major blood transfusion, and months of rehabilitation. He still walks with pain but considers each hardship another story to tell — usually followed by one of his old-timer jokes.

Through every season, the Beatty’s credit their faith as the anchor of their marriage. As Scripture says, “A cord of three strands is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12). For 70 years, they say the third strand has been the Lord.

Today, they still live in the Boerne home they built together more than 50 years ago — Mary designing it, Jim serving as general contractor. It stands as a reflection of their life: intentional, resilient, and built to last.

They have been blessed with four grandchildren: Alexis Kellogg (20) and Cameron Kellogg (19) from their youngest daughter; Henry Haniford (14) and Lauren Haniford (12) from the middle one.

Mary and Jim truly believe as Psalm 126:3 declares, “The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.”

Seventy years.

Through a steel mill tragedy and hospital rooms. Through cancer battles and cross-country moves. Through business ventures, raising daughters, climbing ladders, and telling stories.

Through it all — faith first, laughter often, and love always.

A love like theirs is not simply rare.

It is legendary.