Blind date that leads to 50 years of wedded bliss
FAIRLAND – This is the story of Frank and Gail Gerber whose love has spanned five decades and its all thanks to a blind date.
How does a blind date lead to 50 years of wedded bliss? Well, based on Frank and Gail Gerber’s union, one would imagine all it takes are two individuals willing to go the extra mile for one another.
The couple met when she was 18 years old and he 23 years old on a blind date that incited a romance that has stood the test of five decades and still counting. The date in question was initiated by a colleague of Frank’s when he shared with Gail that he knew of a man who fancied her. At the time they met, she was a young apprentice hairdresser and he a part-time waiter at Tomcat Steakhouse.
Gail described her Frank as a lovely man. They married seven years after their date in 1971, a small wedding of about 80 people with the ceremony being held in Standerton on her parents’ farm. Where all the locals pitched in to make the food for the celebration.
“They made chicken pies, and a whole lot of food for everyone,” said Frank.
With no cost at all to the couple, they even made Gail’s beautiful wedding dress. To their surprise, Frank’s wedding suit jacket still fits him although now it is a bit snug around the waist. It may be safe to say this can be attributed to the healthy serving of love given to him daily by his wife.
Through the years they have travelled together, jetting off to the Far East, Israel and London. In that time they had two children, a daughter and son and they also have two grandchildren.
The couple, who has lived in Fairland for 48 years, has this message to young couples, “Do not get married unless you are absolutely sure of it. You also need to make sure they are the right person for you.”
Gail added she just knew Frank was her beau, “My grandmother loved him, and so did my parents.”
For Frank, she was the one because she surpassed any other woman he had met and the pair also spent a lot of time together. While Gail would play hockey her ultimate fans, Frank and the kids would be heard cheering for her lovingly.
For the next 50 years, they hope to keep their health – both retired now, they spend more time together.
