James P. and Claudia N. Tynes are still sharing their love in action as they celebrate their 53rd wedding anniversary Feb. 27. The high school sweethearts are Westside High School graduates. In February 1969, they relocated to the District of Columbia and Maryland areas. They married Feb. 27, 1971, and their son Rodney was born in 1973. Both were employed in various federal government and private sector agencies. A few years after their retirements, they relocated to Smithfield on May 28, 2016, completing a full circle of love and marriage. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with vow renewals and a photo shoot on the grounds of their alma mater, now Westside Elementary School. They say the two ingredients that enhanced their marriage are a three-fold cord that is not easily broken, meaning keep God in the center, and that Virginia is for lovers. The Smithfield Times featured their love story in the Feb. 24, 2021 issue.