A wonderful 60 years of marriage for Nick and Suzi

The couple enjoyed a family surprise wedding anniversary party on February 19, the day they marked their union, 60 years ago.

“Our children came from all over the country and made our day special,” said Nick.

The two first met when they both attended Hoërskool Brandwag, but they never dated.

A couple of years later their paths crossed again, at a cinema in Benoni, when Nick saw Suzi with her then boyfriend.

He said he knew, from that moment, that he was going to marry her.

“When I saw her walk out of there with her nice big eyes, I told my friends that there goes my wife – and they just laughed, ‘ cause they did not believe me,” said Nick.

Years later they dated and were married on February 19, 1955, in the NG Kerk, and later celebrated their honeymoon in Zimbabwe.

After school, Suzi worked at the post office, in Johannesburg, for five years, until she was married and decided to stay at home and raise their children.

Nick first worked at the Van Dyk Mine as an expert boiler maker for five years and then moved to work for a firm in Dunswart for 25 years.

“In all the years I worked there I never missed a day,” he said.

Suzi enjoyed being at home with their children.

“I loved making their food, playing games with them and, mostly, playing the piano,” said Suzi.

The couple has five children, Francine, Rudolf, Nico, Petrus and Susan.

They have also been blessed with 10 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Over the years, Suzi and Nick have lived in Rynfield, Polokwane, Margate, Cape Town, Atlasville and have now lived in Northmead for 10 years.

The two often enjoyed going on caravan holidays around the country with their children.

Nick said he loves his wife and can’t see himself living without her.

“Even now I still love her; I like the way she speaks out when she feels something – she is a straight talker,” he explained.

Suzi said she takes her relationship with Nick just as it is.

“You take it like it comes, we laughed together and always looked forward to something together,” she added.

“Every day Nick would take fruit from a tree and put it up on the gate; I would see it and know that he is home.”

Their advice to married couples is to speak out and sort through their issues.

“When couples have problems they must not sleep in different rooms, because, when they do the cracks start to show,” said Nick.

“Marriage is a 50/50 story and there will be differences, but couples should work things out no matter how angry they are – it is always nicer to make up,” they agreed.

Having celebrated what seems like a lifetime together, the couple now enjoy looking after their great-grandchildren.

“We spend a lot of time with our great-grandchildren, we help them with homework and I am kept active as I am forced to run around,” said Nick.

“It has been a wonderful 60 years, I get up every morning with a big smile on my face.”