Amanzimtoti couple celebrate 60 years of marriage
It was love at first sight for the couple who met at a mutual friend's house in 1961.
IT was love at first sight for Chris (83) and Aletta Hattingh (82) of Amanzimtoti, who celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary on November 9.
Chris said when he met ‘Lalie’ at a mutual friend’s house in 1961, it was love at first sight. “I cannot explain it, I just knew from the moment I saw her that she was going to be my wife,” he said.
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About a year after the couple tied the knot at the Magistrate’s Court in Johannesburg, they packed their bags and moved to Warner Beach. “We came down to visit my brother and liked the place so much that my dad and I resigned from our jobs and moved. We lived at a campsite before both finding employment at AECI in Umbogintwini,” said Chris.
His 32-year career came to an end in 1995 when he retired. Throughout their marriage, Aletta had been a stay-at-home wife and mother to their four children. She was also very fond of making her garden beautiful, cooking and baking.
When asked what it takes to make a marriage last, Aletta said love and understanding. Their daughter, Alta Grobler, said, “My parents are spiritual and brought us up in a godly home. We look up to them and admire their relationship and the example they have set. I’ve never seen a couple that is as happily married as them. They’ve also always taught us that a couple should stick together, no matter what. When one is down, the other helps them back up,” she said.
Since Aletta’s health setback seven years ago following a stroke, Alta said her father continues to be her devoted caretaker, providing love and protection over her.
The couple share a love for music, as well as spending quality time with their children, nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
On November 12, they received their wedding blessing at church to commemorate their special day, before celebrating with family that came down to visit.
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