Laughter is the best medicine for the Hepplestones

WATERFALL residents, Ian and Val Hepplestone, celebrated their golden anniversary with close friends and family at the Makaranga Lodge on Saturday, 20 August.

Ian and Val met at a party when they were both students at Leeds University in England in 1963.

Ian said he was sitting alone in the corner when he spotted Val and asked her out and they have been inseparable since then.

The couple married on 20 August 1966 and moved to South Africa in 1980 to find a job for Ian who worked as a civil engineer in construction.

The couple said they both enjoy similar things, “we both enjoy reading, dog walking and travelling and our favourite destination is the Kruger National Park,” said Val.

Val said what she loved most about Ian is that he is kind and is a good dad and grandfather.

“We both have a sense of humour and we laugh a lot, although we do go through some challenges but we get along very well, my husband is also my best friend.”

The Hepplestones said their recipe for a long and happy marriage was communication.

“You must always try and resolve an argument before going to sleep and young people nowadays need to forgive and forget and never hold grudges,” said Ian.

Val said they were very happy to have been blessed with so many happy years together, “it’s quite an achievement.”

The couple have two children and five grandchildren.