Anniversary: Mr and Mrs De Bruyn celebrate 65 years
Johnny advised newlyweds to devote themselves to each other: find a way to keep their marriage private, and assist one another in everything
If you’ve given up and no longer believe in true love and till death do us part moments – the Johnny and Joan love story might be just what you need to get you believing again.
Ferndale-based couple Johnny and Joan De Bruyn are celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary this December. They tied the knot on December 11, 1958. They have three daughters, Jean, Colleen and Louise.
Johnny was 25 years old when he snatched the 19-year-old love of his life. He explained that it was not an easy journey and they met through his cousin.
“We did not go out at all until two or three years later and eventually we took that step, and I decided I wanted to get married. I went on and asked her father.”
Johnny was a contractor and worked with companies such as Shell. He was among the first to build a house in Blairgowrie and lived in it for 25 years. He later moved with his family to Ferndale where he has lived for 45 years.
“I was on the road a lot those times. I could not spend time with my family, but I have a good wife she took care of the kids and if I have to marry her all over again I will only if she’ll have me of course.”
He explained that the glue that kept his marriage together for this long was consideration for each other, respect, and love. “As the children came, we took responsibility and we worked together, she is a good cook and I was not very good at managing money but luckily she was and now I have nothing and she got it all,” added Johnny – bursting with laughter.
Johnny stated that the most challenging part was to keep up with the family’s growth, his daughters getting married, and having sons-in-law.
He said that the highlight of their 65 years of marriage was the satisfaction of knowing that his marriage was solid. “It gives one peace of mind to know you can go to work and come back home to your wife and children. She looked after my children and our home and also found time to help me with other work I was doing.”
Besides their daughters, Johnny and Joan have seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
