LOVE began at a young age for Andrew (79) and Patricia (76) Pheiffer who recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on September 10.
The couple met when Patrica was six years old and Andrew was nine, where they lived in Malvern across the road from each other. “We had very strict parents and we were not in love at that stage of our lives, we were just friends,” they told the RECORD.
Patrica said that she remembers that her mother would only allow her to go to the tuck shop when Andrew and his friends were standing on the corner near the shop. “I was on my way to Durban and in the shop while buying a Pepsi and I joked and asked him to come with. Well, it was not a joke for him and we went on holiday together, but not as a ‘thing’,” she said.
When they returned from their holiday, Andrew told her that he misses her and asked her out to watch a movie with him. This is where their love story started. “I grew to love this woman, ” Andrew said.
They got married on September 10, 1968. The couple have three children and four grandchildren. The Pheiffer’s moved to Alberton and settled down in Brackendowns about 40 years ago.
Patricia described her husband as the gentlest man, caring and loving.
“To me she is still the most beautiful woman alive, she is a giver, a listener and she is very helpful,” said a still very much in love Andrew.
One of their most memorable anniversaries was on 10 September, 1981 when the skies opened and snow fell. Their children were at Bracken High at the time and school closed early. The family celebrated by playing in the snow and having snowball fights.
Their goals in life is to stay healthy and just to live happily together. “Go the extra mile for each other. Don’t fuss during an argument, because the making up is very good,” is their advice for young couples.
According to them there are ups and downs in every relationship, but if you truly love each other, nothing can break you.
“My parents are real role models for the Godly institution of marriage. There are always ups and downs in life but, divorce should never be an easy way out. They are blessed to have found each other,” their daughter, Melody Pheiffer, told the RECORD.
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