Couple celebrates 60 years of marriage
Pieter and Rita Van Antwerpen married in 1964 and recently celebrated their diamond anniversary.
A couple celebrated their special diamond anniversary to mark 60 years of marriage.
Pieter and Rita van Antwerpen were high school sweethearts, who got married in 1964 after they met at Hoërskool Pretoria North.
“Sixty happy years,” Rita told Rekord.
“We met when I was in standard 9 [Grade 11].”
Rita said she and Pieter’s sister were friends.
“But I already knew about him before.”
Pieter and his twin brother ensured that Rita and her friends always came home safely after debating union events and other outings.
“But we properly met through the church our families both attended.”
In March 1959, at a youth camp, Pieter asked Rita if she would come and sit next to him at a campfire, setting off their journey together.
“On April 18, he asked me out for the first time to watch a movie at the Libra bioscope in Pretoria North.”
Pieter remembers the movie well, but Rita said she didn’t remember much of the movie, except that she very much enjoyed the night.
Four years later also on April 18, the couple got engaged, and exactly a year later they tied the knot.
“We always kept that date as our happy date,” said Rita.
“He was my first and only boyfriend – I knew what I wanted.”
They soon had their daughter Reinette, followed by a son, Johan, three years later, and their youngest son, Danie, three years after.
The couple moved to a flat in Pretoria central before moving back to Pretoria North, then to Waterkloof Glen where they built a house.
They are now happily retired at Sunrise View and still enjoy each other’s company.
The couple said that what made the marriage work all these years was that they did everything together.
“Rita always says that we raised our children next to the rugby and cricket fields because I played rugby and cricket. She was always there with our children, we did everything together,” Pieter said.
He said the secret lay in their respect and unwavering trust for each other.
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