After knowing each other for just about all of their lives and spending wonderful years together, the Brackenhurst couple is living proof that true love exists.
Martinus (81) and Patricia Strydom (79) recently celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary, their 60th.
They told the Alberton Record that since their 1963 wedding, their love for God has been the core of their relationship and this is why they have made it this far and are still looking to enjoy more years together.
Patricia characterised her husband as a kind, patient man who prioritises the needs of others. She remarked that they had made a lot of wonderful memories together.
“We continue to be completely in love with one another. Anything that you want to endure for a lifetime should be given extra special attention, shielded from harm, and never neglected or mistreated. Even today, we continue to celebrate our unending love for one another because of God’s presence and favour in our lives,” Patricia shared with the Alberton Record.
Martinus defined his better half as a devoted and kind companion who never wavered in her commitment.
“We have known each other since our primary school years, and we were good friends. We started being an item when I invited her to my 16th birthday party and since then we loved each other while supporting one another in everything,” he said.
The pair is blessed with four sons. They lost two of their sons, both at age 39, one due to a sudden heart attack and the other due to cancer.
“This was the most difficult phase we went through as a couple because we were still looking forward to seeing them grow, but our love became even stronger as we supported one another and spent a lot of time together,” the couple said.
The pair advised young couples to always stick together in good and bad situations. They said they must not fear fights, endless arguments and not seeing eye to eye at times because these are times when they learn more about one another.
