Durban North couple celebrates five decades of wedded bliss

WHEN Graeme and Barbara Cook said ‘I do’ 50 years ago, they both decided that come hell or high water, their union will be for keeps.

Speaking to Northglen News from their home in Durban North, the couple reminisced over the last five decades from the day they first met to the purchasing their own home and welcoming three children into the world.

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“Graeme and I met when we were 15 and 14 years old respectively. We were both at Northlands Boys’ High and Northlands Girls’ High and would admire each other from afar,” said Barbara.

When she turned 17, they decided to officially start dating.

“When we started seeing each other, I told Barbara she is the type of girl I’d like to marry,” said Graeme.

When Graeme finished school he went on to work for Barclay’s Bank and after a year, headed to the military for another year of training.

“I became a corporal and a fitness trainer. I was always good at sport since school days,” he said.

“When our three children were born; Quinton, Chantal and Grant, I became a stay-at-home mom,” said Barbara.

The couple then purchased their first home in Glen Anil in 1976 where Barbara ran a play school and gave swimming lessons to children and Graeme gave stroke correction lessons too.

He then joined the shipping industry and has now retired after 51 years of service.

“We’ve always been very open with each other. We communicate and respect each other. It’s been 50 wonderful years,” said Graeme.

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