John and Ann Betar have an unusual love story: they are America's longest married couple.

John is 101 years old and Ann is 97 and they've been married for 80 years. They met in Bridgeport, Conn., where their houses were right across the street from each other.

Ann's parents had actually arranged for her to marry someone else but she and John had other plans so they eloped. They got married in 1932 and have been by each other's side ever since.

"We just fell in love that's all...and they said it wouldn't last," the Betar's said. "Your love grows, you know, and it grows in lovely directions for us. May everyone be as fortunate as we are, may you all be as fortunate as we are."

John and Ann have five kids, 14 grandchildren, and 16 great grandchildren.

The couple was selected for the 2013 award by Worldwide Marriage Encounter, a Christian marriage enrichment group based in San Bernardino, Calif. The group organizes a search each year to promote the virtues of lasting marriages and inspire young couples.