Valentine’s Day: unconditional love keeps Cosmos couple together
It was love at first sight for the couple.
“Love your partner with all their flaws.”
These are the words of advice from Johan and Kotie Raats, a couple from Cosmos Old Age Home who have been married for 52 years.
The Boksburg Advertiser spoke to the lovebirds to find out more about their love story in the light of Valentine’s Day which is celebrated on February 14.
Johan and Kotie met each other at a family party about a year before they got married in 1972.
It was love at first sight for the couple. Unconditional love and grace from God kept them together all these years.
The couple said they are just as in love today as the day they met.
“I remember her father was very strict when we started going out. He told me that there would be trouble if I didn’t look after her. We had wonderful times,’’ Johan said.
Johan remembered how he used to pick flowers out of other people’s gardens for Kotie.
“I love him to bits,” said Kotie.
In their marriage, the couple have been blessed with two children and five grandchildren.
Before retirement, Johan was a boiler maker while Kotie worked in finance.
The couple will be spending Valentine’s Day together at the retirement village and enjoy the activities they are planning for the residents.
To spread more love, Cosmos CEO Susan Cilliers appealed to members of the public to spend time with the senior citizens at the old age home.
“We would appreciate it if volunteers could spend about an hour with the residents to help entertain them.”
For more information, contact 011 915 5416.
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