uMhlanga couple celebrates 60 years of incredible love
Communication and sharing in everything is the key to a successful marriage, says the uMhlanga couple.
“WE’VE lived such a beautiful life that we wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.”
These are the words of Barry and Wendy-Lou Haird of uMhlanga, who celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on November 4.
Speaking to Northglen News, the couple reminisced back to December 1960, when they first met.
“It was love at first sight. I knew almost immediately that Barry was the man I wanted to marry,” said Wendy-Lou.
“I had never thought about marriage until I met Wendy. I knew she was the woman for me,” said Barry.
Wendy-Lou is from Durban and Barry is originally from Kokstad. They met on Christmas Eve at a dinner-dance in Kokstad that Wendy-Lou attended with friends.
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“We were so compatible from the start. Eight days later, we decided we’d get engaged, but only made it public in February 1961,” said Barry.
After 23 trips from Kokstad to Durban, which Barry accurately remembers, the couple exchanged wedding vows at a church in Durban and Wendy-Lou relocated to Kokstad. Barry, with his brother, ran the family business and Wendy-Lou worked in corporate.
“We lived in a flat on Barry’s parent’s property, but wanted a place of our own. We decided to save my salary and live off Barry’s. That’s how we purchased our own plot to build our home,” she said.
Fast-forward four years, the Hairds welcomed their first child, a girl, and named her Cindy-Lou. Then, 18 months later, their son, Alan, arrived.
Six years into their marriage, Barry and his brother purchased a farm and built houses on it for their families. Wendy-Lou resigned from work and ran the farm, which was non-commercial, while Barry expanded the family businesses.
“We worked together on everything, even building our house on the farm. There was no such thing as ‘this is mine’ and ‘that is yours’. Everything was ours and we communicate about everything,” said Barry.
After 17 years on the farm in Kokstad, Barry and Wendy-Lou retired at the ages of 42 and 40, respectively, to La Lucia.
Then, 17 years later, they moved to uMhlanga. They have four grandchildren – Jason, Amberlea, Shannon Rae and Fallon – who are their pride and joy.
The couple both agreed that communication and working together on everything in a marriage is vital.
“Wendy and I have worked hard over the years and we’re both so excited and blessed to be celebrating our 60th wedding anniversary,” said Barry.
The Hairds’ anniversary celebration started on Thursday with an intimate event for close friends at their home. A few days later, they dashed off for getaway with their daughter, Cindy-Lou and her husband, Roger.
Celebrations ended with a visit from their son, Alan, and his partner who will arrived from Wales to spend some time with them.
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