A never-ending love story: Merebank couple still in love more than six decades later
The Naidoo couple share two children, four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren together and spend their time doing charity work at organisations in their community.
MEREBANK couple, Coopsamy Jackie Naidoo, 90, and Gloria 84, commemorated their 67th Valentine’s Day together this year, and will renew their wedding vows to celebrate.
Keeping the spark alive by being true to the principles of marriage, Jackie, whose father chose Gloria to be his bride in 1956, said he fell in love with his beautiful wife after meeting her and wed her two years later in 1958.
This year, the couple, whose amazing love story became the product of a marital union which they did not decide on, will celebrate their 67th Valentine’s Day together. Believing that there is no secret recipe to a lasting marriage, the Naidoo’s said that the key values which led to the longevity of their union was respect, trust, understanding and patience.
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“I am proud that I respected my father’s wish and took Gloria’s hand in marriage. We grew from not knowing each other, to falling deeply in love and made the commitment to always uphold good values in our relationship.
“No marriage is without issues, as ups and downs are a part of life, but we have maintained respect for each other, and respect for our marriage,” Jackie said.
Gloria, who was nervous when she first met Jackie, added that it was the little things he still does to make her feel loved, that kept their marriage alive for 65 years.
“We love to celebrate our love and we do so in many different ways. I remember last Valentine’s Day, Jackie surprised me with a day trip to the South Coast, and when we were too tired to drive back home, he booked a hotel and we stayed overnight. We blushed when our grandchildren told their parents about how nice it was to see us still being romantic and in love. They reminded us that young people don’t do some of the things that we do, which made us feel like we were leaving a legacy to those we come into contact with, by encouraging love and romance, and leading by example of how a marriage should be,” she quipped.
The Naidoo couple share two children, four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren together and spend their time doing charity work at organisations in their community.
They are pioneers of the Clairwood Shree Siva Soobramonior Temple in Sirdar Road, where they remain members.
“We are blessed to have common passions and enjoy serving the public together. In our spare time, we go out on little adventures and love visiting new places,” the couple said.
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