Gerringong residents Keith and Lillian Darby celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary at the Gerringong Bowling Club on Sunday (June 19).
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Mr and Mrs Darby were joined by more than 60 family members and friends to commemorate the occasion.
Grand-daughter Janelle Levesque said the event was one to remember.
“It was absolutely lovely. The club and some of the bowlers who had organised it had really done a fabulous job and the whole setting was lovely and romantic,” she said.
“There were flowers everywhere and they had dug out Nan and Pa’s wedding song, ‘If You Were The Only Girl in the World And I Was The Only Boy.’”
Ms Levesque said her grandparents romance began at an early age.
“They were only 17 at the time. My grandfather used to run a dance school and my grandmother would turn up to take dancing lessons,” she said.
“After one of the lessons my great-grandfather didn’t turn up to pick my grandmother up, so my grandfather was asked to walk her home.
“At the time the dance studio was in Rozelle and she lived in Lilyfield, and he walked her the whole way. A little while later it happened again, and on the walk my grandfather asked her to the movies and she said yes.”
At 17 years of age, Mr and Mrs Darby wanted to get married but legally required their parents’ approval. After being disallowed, they asked again two years later to their parents decline.
Ms Levesque said Mr Darby was disappointed at the time.
“My grandfather thought it was a cruel test that they weren’t allowed to marry straight away, but they are still so happy now,” she said.
“I asked them what the best thing was about being married to each other and my grandfather correctly answered ‘everything’. He also said it doesn't matter what she does or what happens, we are in this together.
“My grandmother also said they are still a bit mad for each other.”
Ms Levesque said her grandparents enjoyed the anniversary and were please to spend it in company.
“They were delighted that they could share such a significant milestone with family and friends,” she said.