Laughter is the best medicine for the Stevens

BEING married at a young age did not push Val and Mic Stevens apart but instead they have grown closer in the last 50 years.

The Stevens were married in 28 September 1963 in Zambia where they grew up. Val was 19 at the time and Mic 24.

The couple moved to South Africa in 1972 after Val needed medication as hospitals in Zambia could not provide the treatment she required.

“Our plan was to move to Australia, then we came to South Africa for a holiday and we loved Pinetown and bought a house here, we had the house for four years before we actually moved here.”

Mic said Val’s good looks, sense of humour and personality attracted him to her. “We dated for three years before we got married,” he said.

Val said Mic’s personality and sense of humour were what appealed to her. “We have a lot in common, we are compatible, enjoy the same things and that is what made us click from the beginning. We were also born on the same date 27 February.

“We are also great friends, we think as one and although we do a lot of things together we also give each other some space,” she said.

The Stevens went to Thembi Elephant Park in the border of Mozambique to celebrate their golden years.

“We love nature and we love Africa, on our honeymoon we went to Victoria Falls.

“We also love the sea, camping in caravans and dancing.

They have three children; Brett, Grant and Tracy-Lee and they have seven grandchildren.

Val said married couples should not give up easily whenever they go through a rough patch.

“In marriage there will always be hardships, no marriage is smooth at all times no matter how good it is.

“You should work through your problems and be honest with each other,” said Val.

Mic said their marriage is a blessing, “although we encounter problems but we rarely fight and we are good friends.

“We joke around and we laugh a lot, we believe that laughter is the best medicine.

“In a marriage you should learn to compromise and know each other strengths and weaknesses,” said Mic.