Diamond anniversary: Tongaat couple's 60-year Valentine's Day love story
Today may be Valentine's Day for most, but for Willie and Gono Moodley today is the day they sealed their love with marriage.
The couple, from Tongaat, are celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary.
And after speaking with them, it is evident they have remained happy, blessed and, more importantly, very much in love with each other.
Willie, 83, a retired electrician, and Gono, 78, who worked in a factory, married in 1965 after their families arranged their marriage.
He was 23 and she, 18.
“It was normal at that time for your family to arrange your marriage and for you to get married early,” said Gono.
Gona, who was from Kharwastan, moved to Willie's home in Tongaat after they wed.
“I didn’t find it difficult to adjust to Tongaat because I spent most of my time there with my granny. The place is quite small, so it was amazing that my husband and I did not meet before our marriage. I loved my life with my husband in Tongaat and I still do.”
She said meeting her would-be husband for the first time back then was "lovely".
“When I met Willie, I could tell he was kind and gentle. That is how we were able to spend 60 years together.”
Gona said that getting married on Valentine's Day was nothing special.
“It was just any ordinary day when we got married. It was like any other day. No one worried that it was Valentine’s Day. We got married at the Brake Village Temple hall. Those days, a crowd of people attended our wedding. It was a lovely day with our loved ones and my husband.”
The couple have four children and five grandchildren.
They said marriage in this generation was different from their times.
“Marriage is done differently now than it used to be. It was easier and safer to meet someone back then than it is now. We were arranged but we were happy and content. Married couples of the new generation share a different kind of life than we do.
“The most important thing in marriage is understanding. My husband understands me well. In all these years, he always lets me grow and be myself. That is how we made it to so many years of marriage. We respect each other.”
The couple said they loved shopping together.
Today will be no different. They will be out and about today - shopping.
“We love going out, having breakfast and enjoying each other's company. We are not sure what further surprises our children have for us as they are always surprising us,” said Gono.
Willie said he appreciated everything his wife had done for him over the years.
“We have had a wonderful marriage. We have beautiful children and my wife always took care of me. I remember the first time I met her. Her parents brought her to my home and I instantly liked her. When she used to visit her granny, I would go see her on my lunch breaks.
“I think what has kept us going is communication. It is so important to listen to each other. Most marriages these days don’t last because they don’t communicate their issues. My wife and I understand each other, which is why we have come so far,” said Willie.
The couple would like to wish everyone a Happy Valentine’s Day.