Still holding hands after 50 years
It's been 50 years since Pieter (73) and Ria (70) de Jager tied the knot, and the couple is still visibly in love.
A few questions into an interview with the de Jagers at their Farrarmere abode, where they have lived for 40 years, Ria reached for her husband’s hand.
She explained that holding hands with Pieter gives her a sense of balance, and that they always hold hands.
She jokingly explained how she needs to shake her hands before holding hands, to get the life back into them, due to rheumatism.
The pair have had very few lows in a marriage of over 50 years.
Ria and Pieter celebrated their 50th anniversary at Café Bellini, on March 29.
They were married on April 4, 1964, in Durban.
Ria said a blind date was set up by a mutual friend, but failed to materialise.
After a while, Pieter (who was 17 at the time), called his future wife (15 at the time), and they arranged to meet after school one day, in 1958.
When he called her, Ria thought: ”Oh dear”.
She said she recognised him because she had seen him walking past the bus she use to take.
She believes fate was the reason they met.
Five years later, in 1963, Pieter popped the big question, to Ria’s surprise.
“I was glad that I found someone, it was a good surprise,” she said.
The couple said various factors have played a part in their happy matrimony.
”We were good friends and our kids made us,” said Ria.
”We were good to each other, did not go to sleep when we were cross and we always listened to each other.
”Communication is key — and you need a lot of love.”
Ria said Pieter showed her there was love in the world.
Pieter thanked Ria for always being tolerant and compassionate toward him.
The two have three children together: Yvette de Jager, Ronel van der Merwe and David de Jager, and three grand-children: Jarrod and Jade van der Merwe and Douglas de Jager.
Yvette praised her parents for their achievement.
”The couple is an example to many of a strong, faith-based marriage, raising three children, enjoying three grandchildren and many furry children (pets) along the way,” she said.
”We, as children, are ever grateful for being blessed with such a special mom and dad, who raised us in a loving and disciplined home, and who are still together and in love, after 50 years of marriage!”
