Partners in life and business celebrate golden anniversary
It was a day to remember. I got to marry my best friend
FIFTY years ago a young girl never knew the man she met outside work would be the father of her three children and the love of her life.
A year of dating led to 50 years of marriage for Leon and Wendy Maas, after their fateful meeting outside Wendy’s work as she waited for her father.
Leon would keep her company with great conversation. Their friendship grew and a spark ignited between them.
“We would talk to each other every day, I looked forward to the end of the day so I could bump into her,” chuckled Leon.
They married on 11 March, 1967 at the Old Fort Chapel on Old Fort Road and held the reception at her parent’s house. “I asked her father for his permission, thankfully he said yes but warned me to look after his daughter,” said Leon.
Wendy looked lovingly at her husband as he joked about her dad: “It was a day to remember. I got to marry my best friend. I was 17-years-old when we got married and by the age of 21, we had three children. Life was good.”
They did everything together and have even co-owned a motor workshop for the past 41 years. “It’s old hat now,” said Leon. “It makes sense that we ended up together, not only is she my wife but from 8am to 5pm she is my business partner,” he said.
But the marriage did not come without its challenges. Their eldest daughter was born with mental and physical deficiencies which put tested their relationship. “We never gave up on her or each other. In a relationship, you must give and take and people these days are too quick to divorce. We come from a generation where talking and listening is important. We advise young couples to keep it simple, drink lots of beer, eats lots of chocolate and just be happy,” quipped Wendy.
Because of their daughter’s disabilities the Maases are very involved in the Jonah Vaughn Home in Amanzimtoti. Leon is the chairman of the body and Wendy is the secretary.
On Saturday, 11 March Wendy and Leon Maas celebrated their 50 years of marriage by carvanning at Rocky Bay and enjoying nature together.
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