Amanzimtoti love birds, Robert and Doreen de Villiers, recently celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary.
The couple is just as in love as they were when they tied the knot 60 years ago.
“The word love is just a word, but when you break it down to its actual power then you can understand. Love is about patience, weakness, forgiveness and tolerance. For 60 years we have accepted and cared for each other. The journey has been long, it hasn’t always been smooth sailing and we will never change anything,” said 81-year-old Robert.
The charming couple has lived in Amanzimtoti for the past 10 years, but they frequently visited the area in the 60s and loved it.
“I worked on the railway in 1960 and went to Joburg for training. My parents lived there and over the weekend I visited my mother who told me she wants me to meet someone. She took me down the road and when we knocked at the door, Doreen and I first met. After chatting a bit, I visited her more often. I moved to Pongola and we corresponded through letters. We married on a Saturday morning, six months later.”
He said that if it was love at first sight, it still is now.
“We had a simple wedding. Robert recalled someone telling them that we would not make it a year together. Find out the meaning of love. A lot of people have big weddings and they end up getting divorced. Money doesn’t matter, loving each other is the only important thing. We have always shared everything,” said 85-year-old Doreen.
The pair celebrated their special day at home with a delicious meal and a mystery guest, Bo. Doreen enjoys knitting and gives away special outfits for children while Robert loves penning down his daily life and one day hopes to share his autobiography. Their love grew in leaps and bounds when they were blessed with six children, 11 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
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