Gunning for half a century of love

“Marriage is more than just a honeymoon, it is about commitment to each other and the marriage itself.
“These were the words of a Salt Rock couple, Colin and Jane Peattie who have been married for 47 years.
These love birds met at a church youth conference in Pietermaritzburg 48 years ago and they were married a year later after travelling back and forth between Maritzburg and Durban.
“We were instantly drawn to each other and on the first day we met, we spent the whole night talking like we had known each other for years,” said Colin.
Jane was teaching in Pietermaritzburg at the time while Colin was a pastor at a Durban Anglican Church.
“Christmas that year was too early so we got married in July the following year because it had to be during school holidays. I had to be interviewed by Bishop Inman to prove that I was fit to be a pastor’s wife,” said Jane.
Both Jane and Colin said marriage had not been an easy journey but loving each other made all the challenges they went through bring them even closer. They said their faith in God has kept them together through all the highs and lows.
“Being married means committing to sharing your life with someone you love. You have to open your heart to them and let them see the real you. You also have to learn that loving your ‘help mate’ means being honest with them and forgiving each other,” said Colin.
The couple came to Salt Rock 20 years ago to pastor All Souls Anglican church. They have three children, two daughters and a son.
“We are blessed with nine grandchildren, three from each child and each one of them is very special in their own right. So when it comes to the highlights of our marriage, it is the births of each of our children and grandchildren,” said Jane.
Since retirement the couple have not slowed down their adventures, pioneering a church in Mauritius and leading numerous pilgrimages to Jerusalem and Istanbul’s Churches of the Book of Revelations
“We have dedicated our lives to serving God,” said Jane.