COMMUNICATION is the secret of Dawncliffe residents, Brian and Laura Nossiter’s 50th wedding anniversary.
Laura’s sister introduced Brian to their family at a party when Laura was just a girl.
He visited often but was conscripted into the army. He kept in touch with Laura by writing letters. When Brian returned from his service in the army, he proposed to Laura when she was 17.
The couple tied the knot at the Emmanuel Cathedral in Berea, Durban on 8 January 1966 and made their home in Hillary where they lived for 25 years. They then lived in Escombe for eight years and finally moved in with their son in Dawncliffe after Brian became ill, and have lived there for the past 13 years.
Laura was employed as an assistant catering manager at the Greyville Racecourse for 42 years while Brian worked in the engineering business for 30 years before taking early retirement.
Brian and Laura have two sons, Rory and Gary and four grandchildren – three girls and a boy.
Laura said she was first attracted to Brian’s beautiful blue eyes and her girlish love for him back then, is still strong today. Brian smiled and said Laura has always been a happy girl, which is what he loves about her.
They believed communication plays a vital part in a marriage. “We’ve had a happy life together. We’ve never had a stand-up argument, always spoke it out civilly, and always kissed and made up before bed at night,” said Brian.
Their advice to other couples is to be honest and always talk everything over so that both parties have an idea what the other is up to.
To mark their special day, the couple enjoyed a family luncheon followed by a tribute show to Freddie Mercury at Sibaya on Sunday.
