COEUR d’ALENE — On the morning of their 60th wedding anniversary, Richard and Jill Jurvelin were standing outside in 30-degree conditions, setting out cups of water on a table.

Just the way they like it.

“It’s a good way to start the day,” Jill said Monday as she and her husband waited for runners in a New Year's Day 3-mile fun run to benefit Tesh.

Richard smiled and nodded in agreement.

“It’s fun, helping out,” he said.

For two decades, the Jurvelins have volunteered with the fundraiser. They pitched in wherever needed, most recently offering to handle the turnaround aid station to keep runners and walkers on the move.

“We love Tesh,” Jill said of giving up their anniversary morning for the nonprofit.

Recalling when the two met, Jill described Richard as "cool and fun."

“He was a good dancer,” she said. “His mom made him take dance lessons and, trust me, nobody else in our class had taken dancing lessons.”

Richard recalled that Jill Hamilton was “smart and good-looking.”

“We shared the same ideas,” he said.

Years later, as their romance sparked, they talked about a summer wedding, but Jill’s father, C.J. Hamilton, an attorney, objected.

“Oh no, you can’t do that,” he said to his daughter. "I’d lose you as a tax deduction.”

Which led to that New Year’s Day wedding.

“Great, we’ll get married Jan. 1,” Richard said. “You wouldn’t have her for one next year, anyway.”

The two were married Jan. 1, 1964, at the First Presbyterian Church in downtown Coeur d’Alene. 

Both have since been happy with careers, children, family and friends. Richard served for more than 25 years in the U.S. Army and works in real estate today. They like to give back to their community and are known for volunteering and donating around town.

But they most enjoy being together, even on those freezing New Year’s Day mornings that, some years, have seen snow.

The 81-year-olds did celebrate their anniversary Monday night, but they weren't outside holding cups of water. They went out to dinner with friends.

As they like it.

“I’d choose him again,” Jill said.

“It’s been great, it really has,” Richard said.