Couple celebrates socially distant anniversary

ORCHARDS — A couple celebrated their 70th anniversary in a nontraditional way recently due to COVID-19. The children of Edna and Lloyd Melvin surprised them with a socially distant dinner, said daughter-in-law Shair Springer. Lloyd, 92, a World War II veteran, lives in an adult care home, while Edna, 87, still lives at home. They were married on Aug. 5, 1950, in Bernalillo, N.M., where they grew up. The two have lived in Vancouver since 1968. They have nine children, 14 grand children, and four great-grandchildren. Lloyd was a wine salesman prior to retiring. “They have only seen each other a few times during the COVID mess. We arranged with the care home to have him placed on the front step and will be setting up arrangements for her to be on the walkway to the home,” Springer said. “We helped them celebrate by decorating and providing a socially distanced dinner.”