SOUTH HAVEN, Ind. -- Mattie and Dozier Allen Sr. courted for nearly 12 years before they married.

But that lengthy courtship paid off. The couple celebrates their 65th wedding anniversary today.

The two met in school in Thomasville, Ala., in 1917. They were both 17 years old at the time.

Dozier Allen moved to Gary in 1920 to work at U.S. Steel, while Mattie Allen remained in Alabama to work as a teacher. They kept in contact through the mail and occasional visits.

Sitting side-by-side in their home here, the two, now 93 years old, remind each other that during that time they both had other beaus and girlfriends.

"I always tease her because she was my last chance," Dozier Allen said.

He proposed by mail.