Hellen and Harvey Osgood
Hellen (58) and Harvey (79) Osgood went on their first date on October 7, 2005. Harvey was just coming out of a deep depression following the death of his wife in 2002. Hellen had just told her daughter she was done looking for love. The two had actually known each other years prior, having both worked for New York City Transit in the field of construction. They reconnected in late 2005 and planned to get together — neither of them being sure it was a “date, date.”
They met at a small Italian restaurant across the street from Harvey’s apartment. Halfway through the meal, after raving about the food, they decided to switch plates — a trait that instantly showed their compatibility. Their dinner sparked the beginning of a date they say has never actually ended. To always remember that beginning, the couple celebrates what they call their “weekiversary.” Every Friday since that day, they honor their relationship and the love they share. As of now, they’re up to 740 weeks.
Harvey brings out his marionette, which matches his outfit. Behind them sit years of memories the two have shared.
Marionettes of Harvey and Hellen, made by their friend Ricky Syers.
Harvey’s mantra.
Sharing a moment in bed. For Hellen, cuddling Harvey is her favorite thing in the world.
• • •
“The first Friday after the date came and we were thinking, 'Wow, it's been a week. It's been beautiful. It's been two weeks. It's been four weeks. It's been eight weeks.’ And at some point we said: ‘We have to do something with this because every week we go back and it's just continuously wonderful.’" - Hellen
• • •
The embrace.
The kiss.
Frances and John Smith
Frances and John Smith, both 92, met each other and began dating when they were 13 or 14 years old. Neither can remember the exact age for sure — nor can they remember all of their 40+ great-grand children’s names. They’ve lived in the Queensbridge Houses in Long Island City for close to 60 years. John served in the US Army during World War II, and was almost sent to Japan right before the end of the war. Upon his return, they picked up right where they had left off, got married, and had a baby soon after. They eventually had four children — two boys and two girls. The eldest, Antoinette, is 73 years old.
For a couple who's been together a lifetime, they acknowledge there have been ups and downs. They took some time apart (but can’t exactly remember how long) but both agree it truly made them closer in the long run. They have weathered tragedies losing their eldest son some years back. Whenever they’ve hit bumps, they’ve sought refuge in prayer. Both acknowledge that they’ve never really exchanged very harsh words with one another. John said his mother taught him to be respectful of women as an expression of love. Today, Frances is bound to a wheelchair due to back issues. John wheels her around, mainly between their apartment and the local senior center — where the two spend most of their days.
Walking up the ramp outside the Jacob Riis Senior Center. The facility is part of the Queensbridge Houses, one of the largest NYCHA complexes in the city. Fortunately, the Smiths only live around the corner from the center.
Frances and John in the reflection of their mirror. Their oldest daughter Antoinette sits to the right.
Frances explains her family tree in a booklet dedicated to her ancestry that can be traced back to slavery.
John’s family is much smaller. Here he shows pictures of his mother, sister, and aunt.
• • •
"Something came together. So we took that and we joined. Within our joining, okay, we do have ups and downs — that's normal. There's no such thing as peaches and cream." - John
• • •
John turns on their mini Christmas tree to get festive for the holidays, while Frances is engrossed in conversation with their daughter.
After Frances insists on walking to the door instead of using her wheelchair, John gives an aggravated sigh as he raises his arms in frustration. After almost 80 years together, the two know when to pick their battles.
Eva and Steve Campanella
Steve and Eva Campanella are a quirky couple. Steve (70) is a collector and retired owner of a grocery store chain. Eva (74) works in advertising. They met at a dancer’s retreat upstate in the early 80’s, through mutual friends in the Brooklyn disco scene. Steve was recently divorced and the father of four girls. Eva had never been married. She spotted Steve right away, and spent the entire weekend trying to get him to notice her. From Friday morning until the late hours of Saturday evening, the two had yet to meet. After Eva noticed Steve retreat to the restroom, she forced her friends to stand nearby and take pictures with her, so she could bump into him and start chatting.
Eva remembers saying to him: “You didn’t ask me to dance?!” Following that remark, the two of them hit the floor and spent the rest of the night dancing. Originally, they dated very casually. But as the months went by, they got serious, and Steve moved into her apartment. They decided to get married in 1984. Eva brought out the best side of Steve — the fun one he always knew was there, but he was usually too reserved to let it out.
Over the years, he’s played some extreme pranks on her: like having a mariachi band surround her bed on the morning of her birthday; or dressing up as a woman and crashing a party with 50 of her gal pals who had gathered for a reunion; and when they bought their house, specifically for its 12-car garage, Steve renovated the entire house and moved all their belongings in as a surprise for Eva’s birthday. The two bicker and tease one another, but they have found the formula of what works for them.
Steve and Eva sit on their 1959 pink Cadillac couch in their living room that is straight out of the 1950’s.
Eva shows off one of her favorite Christmas decorations while Steve is engrossed in the television.
Watching "Some Came Running" in the company of members of the Rat Pack.
• • •
"Not only do we love each other, we like each other. We have fun with each other. That compatibility is to understand that we're both human beings." - Eva
• • •
Makeup and high heels are de rigueur for Eva.
Eva, an avid Betty Boop collector, sporting her favorite pajamas.
The couple ends their day by relaxing in bed together. Eva usually is on her iPad, while Steve watches his shows.