VIDEO: An ‘old’ love story of Pretoria
The couple met when they were 12 years old and went to the same primary school, Sunday school and only lived two houses apart.
Cupid knew what he was doing when he struck Betty and Nolan Pretorius with his bow and arrow.
The couple, both now 95 years old, have been together for more than seven decades since they lived on the same street in the Pretoria CBD.
Rekord spoke to the Pretorius family, who are living proof that true love exists.
The couple celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary at the Blue Crane restaurant on Thursday.
Nolan said they met when they were 12 years old and lived near Loreto Convent.
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“We were neighbours and lived two houses apart. We attended the same class at Sunday school,” he said.
“She is only 6 weeks older than me,” he laughed.
Betty said they attended Hamilton Primary school in the CBD together, and spent most of their free time together.
“We then split in high school and later I went to college and Nolan went to the army.”
Nolan said the love did not stop as they kept in constant communication, with letters going to and fro.
He joined the SA Air Force and served in World War II, in Italy, North Africa and Malta.
“I then decided I wanted to marry this woman when I returned – well, I always knew,” he said.
“I proposed to her in 1947 and we got married in 1948. She was now working for the government printing works and I had started working in a bank’s printing department,” he said.
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Nolan said the bank is now known as ABSA.
Betty said they tied the knot when they were 24 years old.
“When he proposed, I didn’t know. He first went to tell my dad of his intention to ask for my hand in marriage. I only became aware afterwards,” Betty said.
Betty said she was happy to find out that they would be married.
“I always knew that we would get married,” she said.
Betty said making their relationship work was easy.
“In a relationship, one needs to give and take, it can’t just be one way,” she said adding she needed to know what he wanted from her.
She said their arguments did not determine their love for each other and that was how they survived 71 years together.
Nolan said making their marriage work took a lot of commitment.
“You can take life seriously or as a joke, and it’s a serious business to propose to a woman and give away your life and I decided to take my marriage seriously.”
Nolan said he had never regretted a single moment with his wife.
The couple has three children, now all in their sixties: 61, 65 and 67.
Their son Geoffrey said his parents had been exemplary and were great role models.
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“They have taught us good values and made a lot of sacrifices.”
He said his parents were always dedicated to their family and the children and made sure they were educated.
Geoffrey said growing up he was surrounded by laughter through his dad’s great sense of humour.
Nolan and Betty live together in a frail care centre in Arcadia, where they still share a room and enjoy reading together.
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