Golden couple ‘on track’ for 50 years after train meeting

DURBAN North couple, Helena and Jack Small will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on 16 October. The couple were married in 1970 at an Anglican church in Escombe.

“Our photographer was drunk, so he didn’t come to the wedding – we only have photos from the guests who attended the wedding,” recalled Helena who added that she wore a short wedding dress and wide brimmed hat, rather than the traditional gown and veil.

The couple had a small wedding followed by a reception at Helena’s mother’s house in Woodlands. They met on the train going from Durban to Escombe when Helena was 18 and Jack was 19.

“Back in those days they used to run a service from Durban to Pinetown via train. Helena used to work with my sister who invited her to our home one evening after work. I saw Helena on the train and I was smitten, I tell you. She had long black hair and tanned skin. I didn’t know her yet, but I liked her instantly,” said Jack.

Meanwhile, Helena had spotted Jack across the train.

“I told my friend, ‘wow, look at that guy over there,’ and she said ‘that’s my brother.’ We were on the same coach, but he was on the one side and I was on the other,” said Helena.

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They were friends for a while before ‘going steady’ for five years. The lovebirds married when Helena was 24 and Jack was 25. They kept their marriage ‘on track’ with good communication and acceptance.

“You’ve got to listen to each other. When we argue, we say what we have to say, walk away and come back like nothing happened. There’s no grudges,” said Jack. “No one would know we had an argument. Having the Lord in your life is also important,” added Helena.

The couple welcomed their son Shane Small into the world in 1971 on Helena’s 25th birthday. He now lives in Los Angles with his wife, Cathy and their children, Fynn (9) a Stella (7).

“Having our grandchildren in our lives has been a highlight,” said Jack.

The couple lived in Escombe when they were first married. They moved to South Beach and then to Morningside before settling in Durban North where they have lived for the past 43 years in the same Ryde Place house. Jack worked for the South African Railway service for about 28 years before starting a job as a salesman for Whysalls in the 1990s. Helena worked at Urban and Johnson as an administrator prior to her marriage.

“I didn’t work once we were married, until my son was about six years old. Then I did promotions for various companies,” she said.

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