After six decades, four children and seven grandchildren — all of whom they helped through graduate school — Heu and Choy still hold hands and remember that the little things in their relationship count.

Choy would play the harmonica and sing to his wife; she'd always pick up his favorite foods from the grocery store. At a grandson's wedding this year, Choy, who has trouble walking on his own, led Heu to the dance floor.

"They've always been so thoughtful to each other," said granddaughter Lum, a 28-year-old teacher who married her longtime boyfriend, Matt Brummel, in October. "They may not seem romantic, but (what they do for each other) is very romantic."

"I think one of the most impressive things is the longevity (of their marriage)," said Brummel, 33, who works at Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties. "There's still a lot of passion there. Their marriage just didn't become a routine. They obviously still enjoy each other."

Heu met Choy in 1944 at Palama Settlement. She was doing her affiliation for nursing school. He was working there as a dentist.

"I was just attracted to him," said Heu, 85, holding her husband's hand. "He was so handsome!"

And shy. Luckily for him, Heu didn't wait for him to ask.

"I did most of the courting," she said, laughing.

They'd play tennis at the public courts or spend the afternoon at Hanauma Bay. Choy would play his guitar and sing to her.

"Oh, those were the days," Heu said, looking at Choy, a retired dentist now 91. "We had so much fun."

On weekends they would visit Choy's grandparents' house in Wahiawa and go crabbing off the Hale'iwa Bridge.

After about a year of dating, the couple decided to get married. There was no formal proposal, Heu said. They just went to Whitman's on Fort Street Mall and picked out a ring.

"It wasn't like nowadays, where (the men) go down on their knees," Heu said. "You went together, it was assumed you would get married."

They wed on June 10, 1944, at the First Chinese Church of Christ in Makiki. About 100 people attended the ceremony and reception.

World War II was still going on, so everyone had to be home by 8 p.m., Heu said.

The newlyweds lived in a one-bedroom apartment — without a washing machine — on Gulick Avenue for three years before moving to a bigger place on Kapahulu Avenue.

In 1954 the couple bought a plot of land in Manoa for $1,900, Heu said. They cleared the land and built a home large enough for their growing family. They still live there today.

The first test of their marriage came during the Korean War. Choy was called to serve, leaving his wife and three children at home. He was gone for 16 months.

"It was hard, but not too hard because I was busy with the children," said Heu, who wrote him letters during those lonely months. "I guess I managed.

"Every marriage isn't smooth. You have happy times and struggling times. But mostly, we've had fun times."

Heu and Choy enjoy traveling. They've been to China, Europe and all over the United States. They collect jade and ivory figures, and glass snuff bottles, from the countries they visit.

One of their favorite travel memories is a trip to Las Vegas two years ago. Their entire family, including the grandkids, helped them celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary. In fact, they surprised Heu and Choy with a vow renewal ceremony at one of the chapels off the Strip.

Heu credits their longevity to patience, love and constant communication.

"We talk a lot," said Heu, who co-hosts "Cook Healthy Fast" with Dick Alguire on KITV. "Well, I do most of the talking, as you can see!"

Lum feels inspired by her grandparents' marriage.

She and Brummel wed on Oct. 7 at the Oahu Country Club. About 140 guests attended, including her grandparents. Lum presented her bridal bouquet to Heu.

"I see the way that my grandparents look at each other, with such love and understanding," Lum said during the reception. "So tonight, I would like to honor my grandmother with this bouquet, knowing that 62 years ago, she was a bride like me, having similar hopes and dreams for her future with her new husband, and that she has loved and been loved the way Matt and I hope to love each other for many years to come."

Lum met Brummel during her junior year at Mid-Pacific Institute. He was the team manager for the University of Hawai'i-Manoa men's basketball team. She was a diehard fan.

"I had a crush on him," Lum admitted, smiling.

Brummel, who's five years older than Lum, didn't think of her in that way back then. But he did know there was something special about her.

A couple of years later, when Lum was attending UH, they ran into each other at a women's basketball game.

Brummel's feelings for her changed.

"I knew how great she would be for me," he said.

So he decided to test the waters.

"Where's your boyfriend?" he asked, trying to figure out if she were single.

Lum told him she didn't have one.

"Well," he responded, smiling, "I thought all pretty girls have boyfriends."

They exchanged e-mail addresses and promised to get together soon.

Lum, like her grandmother, made the first move.

On May 30, 2001 — just after Lum graduated from UH with a degree in elementary education — they went on their first date to the Greek Corner.

From that point on, they were a couple.

They would go to basketball games, hike and spend time with Brummel's son, Kainalu.

"For me, our relationship went through so many stages," said Lum, who hadn't had a boyfriend prior to dating Brummel. "In the beginning I was so infatuated with him. It was my first time being in love. Every date was new and exciting."

But over time, she became more comfortable in the relationship, though she was never sure how long it was going to last.

"It took me a while to believe that he wasn't going anywhere," she said, laughing.

On Dec. 21, 2005, the last day of school before Christmas break, Brummel came to Lum's classroom at Noelani Elementary School. He brought a dozen roses and an engagement ring.

"I told the class I had an announcement to make," said Brummel, who dropped to one knee in front of Lum's students and proposed.

The girls in the class all knew, Lum said: "They were jumping up and down, screaming. It was really cute."

Lum's mother and grandfather were there, snapping pictures and enjoying the moment. (Heu was playing bridge with her friends.)

After the wedding the couple moved into her grandparents' home in Manoa. (They live downstairs.) They're hoping to save money to buy their own home someday.

For now, though, both couples enjoy the company. They have dinner together at least three times a week.

Lum and Brummel hope to have a marriage like Heu and Choy, full of love, laughter and fond memories.

"I think they're well on their way," Heu said. "They seem to be doing just fine."