Memorable journey for Oosthuizens

WINSTON Park residents, Chris and Baby Oosthuizen celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Friday 14 March.

The loving couple celebrated the momentous occasion with family on the Sunday. Chris and Baby met in the 1960s on an afternoon commute home from work on a suburban train in the East Rand, Johannesburg. They later discovered that they worked in the same building, but for different companies and on different floors.

“After we met we began talking while travelling to and from work. Our relationship just flowed from there,” said Chris.

For their first date Chris asked Baby to accompany him to a drive-in. In 1954, the couple exchanged vows in the Dutch Reformed Church in Benoni.

Their matrimonial bliss was soon blessed with two daughters, Karen Oosthuizen and Susan van Niekerk. “The births of our two healthy daughters were certainly the most memorable and special moments of our marriage. There is no comparison to the joy and pride we experienced. We have also been blessed with a granddaughter and two great-granddaughters,” said Baby.

Baby devoted her life to her children. She left her job to be a stay-at-home-mom, while Chris, an auditor, assumed his role as the breadwinner of the family.

When asked what the key to their successful marriage is Chris responded by saying that support, team work and perseverance are important in any marriage. “You need to support each other, and work together as a team in order to achieve your goals. Do not avoid conflict, as it is a natural part of marriage. What is important is finding a solution and moving past the conflict,” said Chris.

Chris attributed his success in life to his wife. “We have had to make difficult decisions during our marriage, but she had always been at my side,” said Chris.

In 2002, after Chris retired, the Oosthuizens moved and settled in KwaZulu-Natal.