Julianne and Macedonio “Nony” Navar celebrated an extraordinary milestone on Wednesday, November 5, 2025 — their 70th wedding anniversary. Over seven decades, they have built a remarkable life together, and a legacy that includes seven children, eighteen grandchildren, and sixteen great-grandchildren.
Their love story began at Nony’s childhood home — the pink house on the corner of North Loop and Hawkins — which also served as the site of Farmer’s Dairies, the Navar family business. At the time, Nony’s sister Conchita was dating Julianne’s brother David. Julianne, a student at Louisiana Tech who was in town visiting over the summer, joined the couple on their outing. Nony had just finished mucking stalls at the dairy when he met Julianne for the first time. Covered in dirt and sweat, he nonetheless blurted out the now-famous words, “Where have you been all my life?”
Julianne, amused and charmed by the sight of what she called a “real cowboy,” was equally smitten — despite being promised to another young man back in Louisiana. Nony, however, never doubted for a moment that she was the one. The couple married in an all-day celebration that began with an 8 a.m. ceremony at Our Lady of the Valley Church, followed by brunch at the family home and a reception at the Catholic Daughters Hall.
According to U.S. Census Bureau data, only one-tenth of one percent of all marriages reach the 70-year mark — a testament to the Navars’ enduring bond. Their journey together has seen both great joys and deep sorrows, including the loss of both of their sons, yet their faith in each other has never wavered.
Nony spent his life continuing to work as a “real cowboy,” running his own cattle ranching business throughout the Southwest and Mexico. Nony was often away from home traveling or working long hours on the ranch, and admires the way Julianne balanced the demands of raising a large family and maintaining their home with grace and strength. “My wife is amazing,” he says. “She’s the best wife and mother anyone could wish for. Not only did she raise seven children, but then she went back to school and earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees.” Julianne went on to enjoy a distinguished career as a speech-language pathologist with Ysleta and Socorro ISDs, and even after retirement, she remained a highly sought-after diagnostician.
Julianne describes Nony as “a hard worker, a loyal friend, and a father who loves his children beyond measure.” Together, they express deep pride in the family they’ve built and joy in seeing their children and grandchildren create lives of their own.
Today, Nony is 92 and Julianne is 91. When asked about the secret to their lasting marriage, Nony laughs and says, “Two very important words: ‘Yes, dear.’” He goes on to say that “You should always take your wife into consideration in any decision. Always love her, be there for her, and try to understand what she needs.” Julianne adds, “You have to go into marriage with the determination that it’s a lifetime commitment that is going to last forever.”
The couple also joke that it helps if you are fortunate enough to live in a big house. “That way,” Julianne says with a giggle, “if one of you gets tired of the other, you can always move to another room.”
Julianne and Nony commemorated the day by visiting the church where they exchanged vows seventy years ago, followed by an early dinner with family — a fitting tribute to a love story that has truly stood the test of time.
