Couple, 93 and 89, wed in Florida

PALM BEACH, Fla., June 8 (UPI) -- A 93-year-old Florida man married his 89-year-old sweetheart after a brief courtship that followed about 20 years of friendship, the man says.

Ebenezer Rose, 93, whose previous wife of 58 years, Bernice, died about four years ago, said he met his new bride, Monica Hayden, 89, about 20 years ago in church, the Palm Beach (Fla.) Post reported Monday.

"She had eyes on me all these years," he said of his bride, whose previous husbands are both deceased. "By God's grace, we're here."

Rose said he proposed to Hayden about six months ago and the couple tied the knot Sunday at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Palm Beach.

"I told her, `Each of us is living a lonely life. Why not get married?'" he recalled.

The newly minted Mrs. Rose, wearing white gloves, a beaded shawl and a glittering tiara, said the ceremony was "beautiful."

"It was more than I expected," she said.