Charles Pol and Beth Oakes Pol’s love story is one that blossomed over time, much like the relationship between Charles’ parents, Dr. Jan Pol and Diane. Charles and Beth’s journey to romance began with a deep friendship that spanned many years.
Both grew up in Michigan, but it wasn’t until they spent time apart and lived in different places that they realized they were meant for each other.
During their time away from Michigan, Charles and Beth kept in touch sporadically, talking occasionally on the phone. It wasn’t like the steady flow of letters that Dr. Jan and Diane had exchanged during their long-distance relationship decades earlier.
Instead, their conversations were random and infrequent, but each time they spoke, it reignited their connection. Charles recalls the pivotal moment when Beth returned to Michigan, which set the stage for their romance to begin.
“She called me, and she said she was back in town,” Charles reminisced. Beth had moved back to Detroit, and Charles saw it as the perfect opportunity to reconnect. “I said, ‘Well, let’s get together for your birthday,’” Charles shared, which marked the beginning of their romantic relationship.
That birthday meetup turned into a low-key date, and though sparks flew, they decided to keep their budding romance under wraps for a while.
As Beth humorously recounted, “My dad would say, ‘Are you and Charles dating? You’re spending a lot of time together.’ I’d tell him, ‘No, dad, no, no.
We’re hanging out as friends. Doing friend stuff.’” But the truth was that their bond had deepened, and soon their relationship grew into something much more significant than just friendship.
Beth and Charles’ relationship wasn’t just a whirlwind romance—it was built on years of knowing each other and the realization that they were perfect partners. The couple officially began dating, and their romance unfolded naturally, eventually leading to their engagement in 2018 and their marriage in January 2019.
Children
Now, as parents to two young children—Abigail, born in 2019, and Silas, born in 2021—Charles and Beth have fully embraced family life.
However, finding time for each other as a couple, apart from their roles as parents, can be challenging. They still prioritize their relationship, often opting for practical but meaningful gestures of love. With Valentine’s Day approaching, Charles shared their approach to romance as parents: “Last year we did a lunch, a Valentine’s Day lunch,” he said. “That’s probably what we’ll do again, a Valentine’s Day lunch when we can get somebody to watch the kids.”
The love Charles and Beth share mirrors the long-standing partnership of his parents, Dr. Pol and Diane, who have been married for over 55 years. When asked what their secret to a long and happy marriage is, Dr. Pol jokingly advised, “Two words: ‘Yes, dear.’” Charles admits he’s still learning that lesson, but the humor and wisdom shared by both his parents offer an insight into the strong foundation of love that runs in the family.
Diane added her own piece of light-hearted advice: “The secret is I kick him out on the road to do farm calls, so he’s not with me all the time.” The couple’s playful dynamic and mutual respect serve as a model for Charles and Beth as they navigate the balance between love, family, and work.
Though their journey wasn’t one of immediate love at first sight, Charles and Beth’s romance shows that sometimes, the best relationships grow over time. From childhood friends to life partners and parents, their love story is a testament to the importance of patience, friendship, and shared experiences.