WHEN Sybrand, 72, and Elizabeth Matthee, 69, met over five decades ago, they knew it was love at first sight. With beauty being in the eye of the beholder, Sybrand says Elizabeth was the most beautiful girl he had ever laid his eyes on when he met her at a family gathering, and remembered that she had the most alluring hair.
Marrying in an intimate ceremony on July 13, 1972, in Walvis Bay, Namibia, where Sybrand worked as a crane driver at the time, the couple, as they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this week, reflected on counting the little treasures in life as the flame that has kept that spark alive. Living in Bluff since 1979, the Mathhee’s have five children together and have been living in Bluff for the past 43 years. Sharing five grandchildren and one great grandchild has been the cherry on top for these lovebirds.
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Sybrand said that his parents were friends with Elizabeth’s parents and the families would often visit each other, however, it was only later that he had gotten to meet Elizabeth as be had been in the army.
“When I saw her, I thought she was amazing. It was definitely love at first sight. After speaking, she said that when she saw me, she fell in love as well. She really was the most beautiful person I had ever seen. She had beautiful hair. We soon began dating. Her dad did not really like me,” reminisces Sybrand.
Watching the sunsets from their veranda and enjoying nature while making the little things count are some of the couple’s favourite pastimes.
“We enjoy nature and listening to the birds from the comfort of our home, while enjoying the sunsets together every afternoon. We also love watching television and soapies, but our favourite thing to do is enjoy time with our family. To experience marital bliss, a couple needs to make the little things count. Being spontaneous and surprising the one you love is a great way of showing him or her that they are special. I love surprising her by giving her a chocolate after I had been to the shop, or a flower, which I will pick on my way home for her. On her birthdays, I make her feel extra special. She is the same and it creates a bond,” Sybrand said.
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Apart from that, the couple adds that affection plays an important role in a marriage. They would often be spotted giving each other back rubs and holding hands, encouraging their children and grandchildren to lead by example, while showing them that the small things hold them together.
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