THIS Thursday marks a remarkable milestone for longtime La Lucia residents, Bob and Gill Tobbell, who are celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary.

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Their love story began 65 years ago at a Scout dance in Fulham, London. Bob, then training to be a civil engineer, met Gill, who was working at Westminster Bank in Piccadilly Circus. Five years later, in 1965, they were married at All Saints Church in Fulham.

The couple welcomed their first child, Michael, in 1967 while living in Kent. A year later, life took an adventurous turn when Bob’s work with Ove Arup & Partners brought the family to Durban on a three-year contract.

“We sailed on the Pendennis Castle in December 1968 and thought we’d only be here temporarily. But 56 years later, Durban is still our home.”

Their daughter, Justine, was born in 1971, and the family settled in Umhlanga, where they spent three decades. Bob went on to co-found Tobbell Stretch & Associates, playing a key role as structural and civil engineer in the development of Gateway Theatre of Shopping, today one of the largest malls in the southern hemisphere.

His expertise also took the couple to Dubai for three years when he was recruited by an international company. Through the decades, Bob and Gill’s life has been defined by travel, adventure, and above all, family.

Locally, they have explored Namibia, Botswana, and the Drakensberg, embarked on canoe trips down the Orange River, and enjoyed countless road trips around South Africa.

“Our life seems to have been one big adventure since arriving in South Africa,” said Bob with a smile.

Now retired, Bob and Gill treasure quiet days with their children and four grandchildren — Ray, and Matthew, who live in the US with son Michael and his wife Kerry, and Jack and Aimee, who live in Durban North with their parents, Justine and Scott Lovemore.

A recent trip to America gave them the joy of seeing two of their grandchildren graduate from high school and university.

“Family is the meaning of our lives. They have brought us so much joy over the years,” said Gill. As they celebrate their diamond anniversary surrounded by loved ones, the Tobbells say they feel truly blessed.

“We’ve had quite a journey together. And we’re still enjoying every moment.”

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