Jennifer and Jeremy Pollock met while working in the share dealing department of Anglo American many years ago.

Neither of them described it as love at first sight. Jennifer says she was going through a period of orientation before moving into personnel, and simply ended up working in the same department as Jeremy. T

he two of them started spending time together outside of work, and, before long, they were dating. Not long after that, they were married.

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Next year the couple will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary. When asked what has kept their marriage strong for so long, Jennifer says it comes down to being compatible and making the effort to work at it.

She is quick to point out that six decades together has not always been easy. The couple have had their share of disagreements over the years, but they always found a way to sort things out and carry on.

Jennifer says that in this day and age, many people are quick to walk away from a relationship the moment things become difficult. She and Jeremy were raised differently. For them, giving up was never really an option. When something went wrong, they had to sit down and figure it out together.

The couple have two daughters. One lives in Cape Town with her two sons and works as a journalist. The other lives in Bordeaux, close to where Jennifer and Jeremy now stay, and has two children of her own, one of whom matriculates this year.

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Over the course of their marriage, the Pollocks have lived in several homes around the area, moving from Bramley to Craighall, and later to Craighall Park. Three and a half years ago, they made the move to their current retirement village, a decision Jennifer describes as one of the best they have ever made.

She says the move gave them a real sense of community. They have made many friends, there is always something happening, from card games and bingo evenings to a recent poker night for the men in the village and a Christmas in July celebration where residents shared a meal together.

Jennifer also speaks warmly of the care centre, the matron, and the care workers, and says the sense of security that comes with village life means a great deal at this stage of their lives.

During the interview, Jennifer offered some advice on maintaining a long-term relationship while working alongside a partner, something she and Jeremy experienced firsthand in their early years together.

She says giving each other space is important, and that communication remains the best way to work through any uncertainty in a relationship.

Her advice was simple. Talk about it. It may not always be easy, but it is the only way through.

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