Prayer binds the Barnards
New Germany residents Attie and Anna celebrate their golden years.
ANNA and Attie Barnard celebrated their golden anniversary at the Portuguese Islands with Anna’s sister Lina.
The Barnards got married on 7 November 1964 at a Dutch Church, NG Kerk in Durban.
Anna said it was a very special and humorous day as it was a double wedding.
“My sister and I got married on the same day.
“We are both named Anna after our grandmothers, but my sister is known as Lina. My sister and her husband were the first couple to say their vows and her mother-in-law almost fainted when the priest called her Anna, she thought that her son was being married to the wrong sister,” she said.
Lina’s husband Ken passed away in May this year.
The couple who resides in New Germany met in Montlair Wanderers sport ground.
“I was only 15 and I was friends with his sister. He came to fetch us as his sister was suppose to sleep over at my house but my mom was stuck somewhere,” said Anna.
Attie said he only noticed Anna after a few weeks.
“We started as friends, dated after a few months and got married after three years.
Attie said, “I love Anna because we have lots of things in common and she is beautiful.”
Anna said she was attracted to Attie’s charm.
“He was very handsome and treated me with respect as he is five years older than me.”
The Barnards have three children and two grandchildren.
The couple said prayer has kept them together all these years.
“There is a saying that if you pray together you will stay together.
“We also have a lot in common as we both love sports, we are both interested in tennis and bowls. I use to play rugby and soccer and fishing is a big thing in our lives, we do it regularly,” said Attie.
Anna said married couples should respect each other.
“Communication is very important and they must not give up easily. They should try and work through their problems,” she said.
