Happily married for 50 years

The couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on January 15, with several family members, at a restaurant.

The couple, who still strongly believe they are meant to be together, have known each other for almost as long as they have been alive.

The Northmead residents met as scholars attending Laerskool Bredell.

They both moved on to attended Hoërskool Kempton Park.

Petro and Peet started dating in 1963, and after two years, they were engaged.

The couple married in Benoni in 1965, a month after their engagement.

Their first son, Aly, was born 10 months after their wedding, but died tragically at the age of 18 in a Northmead car accident, shortly after completing his matric exams.

The couple told the City Times that the death of their son was a big tragedy for the family, but in the end brought them closer together.

At the time of Aly’s death, he had already enrolled for a BCom degree at the University of Johannesburg.

Their second son, Manie, was born several years after his eldest brother.

“We decided to marry early, have kids early on and grow up with our children,” said Peet.

When asked what has contributed to their long marriage, Petro said there is a lot they do right.

“We communicate well together, and we share everything; there are no secrets,” she said.

Peet said he still loves his wife.

“I felt (when we met) she is the one for me and she still is the one for me,” he said.

The two said their marriage has had ups and downs, with Peet saying they never go to bed angry or sleep in separate rooms.

“He has never slept in another room,” said Petro.

“My bed is my bed,” Peet joked.

Petro said she wouldn’t change anything about her husband.

“He might want to change me so that I am 18 again,” Petro mocked.

“Yes, maybe I would,” Peet replied with a smile on his face.

The couple advised youngsters who are looking at getting married to be honest, trust each other and make compromises in their marriage.