BASKING in their golden years, a couple residing at Garden View Tuinsing reached a momentous landmark, a 70th wedding anniversary on Tuesday (9 June).

Neville and Lynette Shepard, both in their early 90s, recalled the day they met in 1954, and when they tied the knot on June 9, 1956.

“It was a blind date, set up by Lynette’s twin sister, at a motor racing event in Pietermaritzburg. We clicked instantly, and the chemistry was undeniable. We had a lot in common. We dated for about nine months, and realised that we were meant to be together. We got married at the Manning Road Methodist Church. It was our genuine love for one another that was a binding factor,” shared Neville.

They started a family in 1958, while Neville was working in finance, and Lynette was a typist. They are blessed with four children, seven grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.

Although the duo currently engage in limited activities, their earlier years were filled with yachting, cricket, and tennis, and they “enjoyed sports in general”. They have been bowling competitively as well, even reaching the nationals. In her 60s, Lynette spent her time painting, during which her creative talent shone. Family vacations were spent at their favourite spot, the Drakensberg Mountains.

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Their advice to younger couples, or those contemplating tying the knot, is “love genuinely, loving one another gets you through everything. A good marriage is about give and take, more of giving. Family and children are a binding force; remain close, like we always have been.”

The Shepards believe they will see many more years to come, as long as they are together.

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