DAVID and Joan Harwood will celebrate their diamond-strong marriage of 60 years on 23 July.
David (87) and Joan (84) first met each other in 1957 at the Central Methodist Church guild in Johannesburg, when they were both in their early twenties.
Their first date was about four months after they met when he asked her to go to an agricultural show dance.
One year later he popped the question but Joan had already planned an overseas trip with her best friend, and left on a boat for Europe. She returned seven months later, in September 1958.
They were married at the methodist church in Berea, Johannesburg on 23 July 1960 and honeymooned at Champagne Castle in the Drakensburg.
“We loved the hiking and being close to nature, plus having a chance to relax,” said Joan.
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They have travelled all over South Africa and the loving couple said their most memorable spots are in the West Coast and Namibia. They also travelled to Canada for Dave’s mother’s 90th birthday.
Joan was a stenographer when they first married. Later, when her children were in high school, she worked for a florist and then later she helped her daughter, Heather, with the accounts at her pharmacy in Johannesburg.
Dave was a draughtsman and structural designer for Murray & Roberts for 25 years. On retirement, he became a successful handyman.
They have two children, Gary (57) and Heather (54) and have four grandchildren, all girls.
Joan and Dave moved from Johannesburg in 2018 to stay with their daughter and son in law, Heather and Dan, in their garden cottage in Forest Hills.
“We have really enjoyed doing up the garden at the cottage and making it our new home,” said David.
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The couple love to read and Joan enjoys baking, knitting and doing crosswords.
Dave is great at woodwork and he recently completed a padded headboard for their spare bedroom.
“We would love to see some more of South Africa, but it will probably be from our armchairs now by enjoying travelling programmes on TV. We would just like to spend as much time as possible with our family, whenever possible. Gary owns a stunning property near the Kruger Park on the Olifants River which we are able to go to every year. It’s a great opportunity for family time and big game viewing,” said Dave.
“It will be a weekend of celebrations for us as it is also Joan’s birthday on Sunday. The family will all go to Willow Way Manor for lunch on Saturday,” said Dave.
The couple said that a successful marriage is a lot of give and take, doing everything together, even if you don’t always agree on everything.
“Being patient with one another is important to get you through the good and the tough times,” said Joan.
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