Still in love after six decades
Married since 1965, Henry and Breggie Knight share their heartfelt story of how a chance encounter blossomed into a lifetime filled with love, music, and cherished family milestones – all in the home they built together.
Being spared for 60 is already considered a huge milestone. Now, imagine what a significant milestone it is to celebrate your 60th wedding anniversary.
• Also read: LETTER: Pastor’s happily ever after, healthy marriage tips
Henry (84) and Hybrecht “Breggie” Knight (82) celebrated this remarkable occasion on May 29 and recently spoke to the Krugersdorp News about their union, which began in 1962 when they met and ultimately married in 1965.
Breggie describes their relationship as love at first sight, and says they met completely by accident.
I was working in an admin job at the time when I met him at the age of 17, and within the first week, he asked me out,” she said.
Henry said they got married after a couple of years of dating, at the church that was on the corner of Burger and Market Street, and have since done everything together.
“Music is a big part of our lives. My wife played the organ at our church for 15 years, and I was in a wind orchestra, where one of our favourite genres is classical music,” he explained.
He added, they bought their property in 1977 on a municipal auction, and he designed the house himself, where they still reside. This was the first house in that area on that side of Robert Broom Drive, where, when they bought it, there was no road since it used to be farmland.
Henry worked his way from working on the railways to pursuing his career in engineering, with Breggie reiterating that for 22 years of their relationship, he was busy studying towards his degrees. Later in his life, Henry started giving math classes until his retirement.
We have two children who kept us busy when they were young, with music classes and sport, but I always made sure they were safe and looked after,” Breggie added.
“We don’t work anymore, but both of us enjoy being busy with home and garden work, as well as our hobbies.”
Breggie enjoys embroidery and sewing and even made wedding and matric farewell dresses, which gave her a huge sense of pride and accomplishment.
“I enjoy building and collecting model trains and gardening work,” he said.
Breggie revealed that their secret to such a long and happy marriage is to put hard work into the relationship and to always aim for what is good and right.
“I have no regrets for the last 60 years, but it went by way too fast. Before you know it, you are on pension, but we are extremely blessed,” Henry concluded.
