More than half a century for this lovely couple
That was it for Dennis. No man with backbone and self-respect, young or old, would live with this state of affairs for too long once he had set his sights on a woman.
BARBERTON – Some people believe that every number has a meaning, especially if it is repeated. In numerology 57 is a combination of the numbers five and seven and as such it contains energies and characteristics of both. Where five speaks of important life changes, adaptability, intelligence and learning through experience, seven is all about peace, faith, persistence, inner wisdom and understanding. Should there be any truth in this, it makes absolute sense why 57 is being repeated in two people’s lives during their silver years.
Dennis and Patricia le Roux met in 1956 when he visited her father’s farm as an irrigation salesman, and so the love story of 57 years started.
“It was love at first sight. From the first moment we saw each other, we just knew,” they told Barberton Times.
During the following weeks, Dennis often visited the farm, but although the opsitkers was very much the in thing back then, none were available for these two lovebirds. Patricia’s dad was a strict father who wouldn’t let any young man be left alone with his daughter. “Even holding hands was out of the question and kissing was something we fantasised about,” said Patricia.
Within two weeks of courting, Dennis saw a gap and as Patricia put it quickly kissed her on the cheek, which resulted in her blushing all over.
That was it for Dennis. No man with backbone and self-respect, young or old, would live with this state of affairs for too long once he had set his sights on a woman.
Dennis gathered his courage and approached her father to ask for her hand in marriage. The father gave his blessing and they were married on January 5, 1957 in the Barberton Catholic Church.
“It was a wonderful day and the honeymoon was totally unplanned. We got in the bakkie and decided to drive wherever the road took us,” said Patricia.
The honeymoon had them spending time in Umhlanga Rocks, Rhodesia and numerous other places. In Rhodesia, Dennis said to his new bride, “Let’s take the first turn and see where we end up.” Things were totally different back then and people trusted one another on sight.
They came to a farm and the farmer welcomed them with open arms, offering them a cottage for the night. He had to leave to run errands, but showed them where everything could be found, including food. The next morning, he was still not around and after they had made breakfast they went on their way.
“It was an absolutely carefree time in our lives,” said Patricia.
On their return, they bought a farm in Vaalwater where they farmed with cattle among others. Later that same year, towards the end of 1957, exactly nine months later, their twin boys, Louis and Steven were born. They would have turned 57 this year, but Steven passed away a couple of years ago, however, Louis will celebrate his 57th birthday on October 2 in Richards Bay.
“At one point in time I had four kids all under the age of three,” Patricia told the paper. “I remember my mother once sending me a box with kiddies’ goodies. Right at the bottom of the box, I found a strange package. There was no letter of explanation, and although we knew what the birds and bees were about by then, neither Dennis nor I could figure out why my mother would send us these bizarre looking balloons. Naïve as we were, we started asking around and soon found out exactly why my mother had sent them. It was quite embarrassing, but we understood her message loud and clear.”
Dennis went on to teaching and taught until he was 60, while Patricia had her hands full raising the four offspring and attending to the housekeeping.
It couldn’t always have been a bed of roses, but one thing is for certain, they have travelled the road together. If there is any truth in the meaning of numbers and if learning through experience is what five stands for and faith, persistence, inner wisdom and understanding is the characteristics of seven, they have definitely stood the test of time with 57 years.
Congratulations from Barberton Times on all the 57s that take place this year.
May 2014 be a truly unforgettable year!
