HILLARY residents, Gail and Eric Pieterse celebrated 50 years of marriage on Saturday, 7 October with close friends and family.
The Pieterse’s met in September 1965 after Gail’s cousin set them up on a blind date, which had failed, but they eventually met some time later at her cousin’s house in Orkney.
The romance blossomed and by September 1966 they were engaged to be married.
As Eric’s apprenticeship on the mines was incomplete, they decided to wait until he had completed it.
The couple decided to move to Durban after Eric found a job at Hullet Refinery, and they lived in Mount Edgecombe where their son, Grant, was born followed by their daughter, Deidre, five years later.
“I was a stay-at-home mum. I had no problems with my children, they were amazing to bring up,” said Gail. She said she was very involved with their sporting activities and school events.
“They had the love of both parents, even though my wife did most of the upbringing as I was at work. We always made sure they had both our attention and we listened to them,” said Eric.
According to Eric it very important not to lie to your children, being honest at all times is key.
“Children follow what you do and they pick up bad habits so its important to emphasise the good so they pass it on to their children,” said Gail.
Both their children, Grant who lives in Pinetown and Deidre who lives in England, are married and have children of their own.
“Its been rewarding seeing our grandson grow and being part of his every day life. We miss our other two grandsons immensely but we see them as much as we can,” Gail added.
The couple do everything together, they support each other 100 per cent.
“My husband is my best friend, lover and my everything,” said Gail.
According to Eric their religious belief is their greatest bond. “God is very important in our lives and he has been the centre of our marriage from the beginning,” he said.
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