61 years of giving each other space to grow and love
Morningside couple share their memories of how they met and got married.
THE Berea Mail interviewed Susanne and Erling Henriksen during the month of love, and they told us that it was being able to maintain their individuality in their marriage that sustained them for 61 years.
The Morningside couple, who live at the Bill Buchanan Association for the Aged, says they are still very much in love. They met through Susanne’s parents who were avid cyclists, who would always host the younger cyclists at their home for social gatherings.
“The first time I met him, I thought he had the most gorgeous legs, and I could not believe just how fit and handsome he was,” said Susanne. After dating for just one month, Erling popped the big question. Even though their engagement was quick, they were married 18 months later, in 1963, at St Peter’s Church in Pietermaritzburg, and held their reception and send-off at The Mountain Rise Country Club.
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“She was the prettiest girl in the whole social club – everyone raved about how beautiful she was – and I couldn’t believe that she was now my wife,” said Erling of his wedding day.
The Henriksens were both born in 1940, just five months apart. The lovebirds were 23 years old when they tied the knot two years later, and at the age of 25, they welcomed their first child, a son named Kirk. Kirk joined the army at the age of 19 and sadly passed away at the age of 22 after an incident at work.
They have two other children, a son named Greg who lives in Australia and a daughter, Lisa, currently in Cape Town. The couple attributes their long marriage to giving each other space – space to be individuals and to be able to pursue individual interests and also maintain long-term friendship.
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Even though they have been able to attain their individuality over the years, the Henriksens have many mutual interests that have played a role in strengthening their love and companionship. The grandparents of six say that if you wish to sustain a long relationship, you must be kind and tolerant with your partner.
They still enjoy travelling to keep the sparks alive in their relationship. They have travelled to Norway, which is the birth country of Erling’s parents. The duo have also been to England and Australia. However, their favourite pastime is ‘dinner with the grandkids’.
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