In May 2004, Fortunat Andy Andrews celebrated an incredible milestone  his 100th birthday  with an elaborate surprise party at Renal Care Groups Noblesville, Ind., clinic.

It was a wonderful party and a big surprise, his wife Clara recalls. Dr. Agnes Schrader and nurse Debra Goggin planned a really inspiring day. We were able to share it with several friends from the community.

The party not only had the typical birthday cake, balloons and colorful decorations, but it also featured a diverse display of photos of Andy throughout his life.

And what a life it has been.

Formerly an engineer, Andy has been married to Clara for 69 years. They both share a love of travel and have visited 39 countries together, counting Scandinavia , Greece and Italy among their favorite places.

Besides travel, another shared interest has been dancing, which theyve done all over the world.

He was a fisherman, and I was a dancer, but I quickly brought him over to my side, Clara jokes. We both took lessons from the Fred Astaire studio and got to be pretty good. We really love Latin dancing and Big Band-era dancing like on Lawrence Welk.

It turns out that it was the best exercise we could ever have done.

Dancing isnt the only exercise in which the sports-minded couple have actively participated. Weve done ice dancing, golf and tennis, Clara says. Were also great music lovers and love to read. And you should see our flower garden.

Although in good health for most of his long life, Andys kidneys started failing about five years ago and dialysis became necessary. Clara says that she tries to keep her husbands mind off the difficult days of his illness, but they have high praise for the caregivers at the Noblesville clinic.

They take good care of him, Clara says. The doctor, the drivers, the nurses, the social workers, all of them are very caring and efficient. Clara says Andys spiritual side helps him cope with his illness. And were a team. We work together.