60 years later and still in love

Thanks to the marvels of Skype I could talk to and see Mum and Dad just a short while ago. (They had a problem of no sound but I could hear them and wrote messages I held up for them to read. A good combo of technology and basics).

Today is their 60th wedding anniversary. It blows me away that 1) they're still here to celebrate it, and 2) they have a love that has endured with tolerance, forgiveness and grace.

Not the best quality image because it's taken across Skype but the smiles say it all :-)

60 years ago they were fortunate to have a 8mm movie taken. No sound but it is in colour. Over the years it's been transferred to VHS and then DVD. It's a real historic clip showing friends and family no longer with us. We treasure it.

Mum and Dad headed away on their honey moon in a 1936 Austin 7. Dad describes it as a "very good little car". I'm sure it was. He also describes how it bounced from one boulder to another on the less formed roads they came across in the South Island.

Their wedding cars were large American sedans typical of 1953, possible Chrysler or Chevrolet. Their driver doubled as a Funeral Director. Their wedding cars were also used for carrying mourners (rather than the actual hearse) and ferrying VIPs around Auckland.

They traveled down Greenland Rd from the church to the RSA hall where the wedding reception was held. Back then Greenlane Rd was a 2 lane standard Auckland road. Today it is a 4 lane highway with no parking. The hall is still there.

Enough of the history. I am of course immensely proud of them. I know it hasn't always been easy but here you are 60 years later and still very much in love.

Have a slap up dinner out and a glass or 2 of bubbly.

Congratulations and well done.