A love story for the ages: 45 years of Valentine's Day

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) - Roger and Linda Shafer got married in 1980 on Valentine's Day. They had a family with children and several grandchildren, and after 45 years of marriage, Roger's love for Linda remains the same.

Linda has lived in the Schenectady Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing since 2023, after she was diagnosed with Lewy-Body Dementia. Rogers drives 60 miles back and forth from Schoharie to Schenectady every day to see Linda.

Roger and Linda have a common love for music. Roger played guitar in a band when he was younger, and Linda played the flute when she was in school. Roger often plays for others in the nursing home, but he loves playing guitar for Linda.

Linda currently is not able to communicate well with Roger and is not always able to recognize him. However, when Roger plays the guitar for her, she lights up, and remembers him.

"You never know what the reaction is going to be," Roger said. "But oh, she definitely knows who I am. Sometimes I'm Mom, sometimes I'm Dad. But she knows who I am: she just may not put the name right, but yeah, she knows."

Roger usually plays 50s and 60s hits, but on their special day, Roger plays Linda love songs. Music is the special way they communicate with each other.

"I love songs that have a meaning," Roger said. "Something that people, other people, can relate to. Not necessarily that they know, but something they can relate to."