Retired veterinarian Howard Carroll and his wife, Ruth, celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary Aug. 22 with a celebration at Felton Presbyterian Church.

The Carrolls met in Boulder Creek and married in 1940 at Ruth’s parents’ home in Boulder Creek. Seven decades later, the couple remains happily married.

“It’s hard to comprehend,” Howard, 94, said from the couple’s home. “I never thought it possible.”

Howard, originally from San Francisco, attended Washington State University for his undergraduate degree. He served in the military for a short time in 1938 and 1942 before he earned his master’s degree from University of California, Davis, to become a veterinarian. The couple lived in San Francisco, where he opened a veterinarian clinic.

Ruth, now 92, stayed home to raise their four children, Denis, Pati, Martha and David. The Carrolls have six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Howard retired from his practice in 1970, and the couple moved to Boulder Creek. Today, they live with a cat they call Jill. They have attended Felton Presbyterian for nearly 10 years.

As to the secret to their long marriage, Howard said, “It’s a matter of give and take. You’re not going to be right all the time.”