Sylvia and Victor Cassella of Lake Ronkonkoma are celebrating their...

Sylvia and Victor Cassella of Lake Ronkonkoma are celebrating their 50th anniversary. They met at a dance club in Lake Ronkonkoma. Credit: Casella family

Sylvia Cassella of Lake Ronkonkoma recalls her long-distance courtship with her husband, Vic.

In December 1963, I was with friends at Tavern on the Lake, a dance club in Lake Ronkonkoma. My name was Sylvia Merolla then. I was 18 and lived in Commack. While there, a young man came over to me and asked, “Sweetheart, do you want to dance?” His name was Vic Cassella. He was 21 and lived in Lake Ronkonkoma.

Vic was home on leave from the Air Force. He joined in 1961 and was stationed at Dow Air Force Base, in Bangor, Maine, where he worked on the fuel systems for B52 jet bombers. He was so cute with his dark curly hair and dreamy eyes.

We danced all night. He asked for my telephone number and called a few days later. We went on a date the following Saturday. Vic left for the base the next day.

He called again and we planned another date for the upcoming weekend. Vic hitchhiked the 500 miles from Maine to Commack, a 12-hour trip. He did that almost every weekend over the next four months. I didn’t realize then what a hardship this was for him. He never complained.

Then, in late April, 1964, he stopped calling. I was devastated. I began a Novena, a Catholic tradition of nine consecutive days of prayer for a special intention. I prayed for Vic to come back to me. Finally, in September, he called. I was out and my father took the message. Vic had been in a car accident and had been recuperating for months. He had just finished his military service and was back home. At that time, girls never called boys, so my friend offered to throw a party and invite Vic. When we saw each other at the party he said he’d never leave me again.

In April 1965, Vic gave me a corsage. I thanked him, but he insisted I smell it. I said it smelled nice. He told me to look again. I did and then I screamed. A beautiful diamond engagement ring was hidden in the flower.

We married on April 30, 1966, at Christ the King Church in Commack and had our reception at the Aztec Village in Commack.

In 2006, Vic retired as a painter at Brookhaven National Laboratory in Upton. I worked for Chase Bank for 20 years. I then worked as an administrative assistant at Intelecom Systems in Ronkonkoma from 1996 until I retired in 2004.

We have amazing children, two sons and two daughters, who are married to wonderful spouses and have given us nine beautiful grandchildren and two step-grandsons. We plan to celebrate our 50th anniversary with them this month.

Vic is the love of my life, my rock. He always manages to make me laugh. We are each other’s best friend. I thank God every day for answering my prayers.

Get the latest news and more great videos at NewsdayTV Credit: Newsday

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Defendant in missing teen case facing new charges ... High anxiety over flying ... The bob is back ... Fitness Fix: Weightlifting ... Get the latest news and more great videos at NewsdayTV

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