DENVER (KDVR) — The saying “first comes love, then comes marriage” may sound cliche, particularly on Valentine’s Day but just what is the key to a successful marriage?
“It’s respecting my wife. I love her. She’s my best friend,” said Todd Harding. He’s been married for 30 years. “It’s respecting her as a person and swallowing your pride once in a while. You don’t always have to be right.”
Anyone who is married will tell you, there is no real expert on the subject but after 30 years, it seems appropriate for someone as experienced as Harding to be officiating a wedding.
“It just makes sense,” said Harding. “It’s the Sweetheart City, it’s Valentine’s Day, The Sweetheart Winery. I mean this is perfect.”
It wasn’t just any wedding, Harding officiated 22 couples exchanging vows. The mass wedding was at The Sweetheart Winery in Loveland.
“I almost needed a tissue,” said Harding. “When people are really connecting and remembering why they want to get married, why they want to spend the rest of their life with this person standing across from them. You can actually feel the love in the room, absolutely.”
It’s the ninth year of the Loveland Valentine’s Wedding. For Harding, each year it is a heartfelt tradition.
“When everyone getting married connects, when they feel the love, I almost needed my tissue, and I’m not kidding,” said Harding. “It was a special day.”