Waterfall couple’s love gleams golden

THE loving Waterfall couple, Rick and Jill Colepeper, celebrated 50 golden years of marriage at the weekend.

They met for the first time on Scottburgh’s beachfront and were soon set up on a blind date by Jill’s brother and sister-in-law.

Three weeks later, Jill was packed and ready for her three-month adventure overseas.

“We corresponded with letters and there was one phone-call. I remember being so excited for a phone-call from South Africa to London,” laughed Jill.

Within six days of returning to SA, Rick popped the question. Despite the raised eyebrows, they were married six months later on 14 March 1970. With their nuptials behind them, they rented a small flat together in Amanzimtoti.

The couple welcomed their first child, Nikki, in late 1971 and their second child, Philip, in 1974.

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They are the proud grandparents of two and, when their daughter is married later this year, they will welcome six step-grandchildren into their family.

“If everything goes as planned, we will hopefully be flying out to Australia to meet them all in August,” said Jill.

Jill said her dogs are on the top of her list of great loves as she used to show them, is part of a schnauzer group, enjoys a spot of gardening and loves embroidery and cross-stitch.

“I just can’t sit and watch TV with nothing in my hands,” said Jill.

“My hobbies include doing as little as possible,” laughed Rick. “I am just kidding, I love to work with my hands, so handy work and general building, that is what I enjoy.”

He is a double Springbok for surf lifesaving and swimming as he used to swim for three provinces, the Transvaal, Eastern Province and KwaZulu-Natal.

To celebrate their anniversary they held a special get-together at their home with their close family and very good friends.