After meeting at a church several decades ago, it is no surprise that this couple has named God the number one reason for their marriage lasting for 60 years.
Vernon (79) and Lorna Williams (78) recently celebrated this milestone and could not be happier that God has blessed them to see their 60th wedding anniversary.
Although they met at the St Michael’s Anglican Church, they also shared mutual friends and got to know each other better in this group. That was when Vernon approached her and they started dating, Lorna explained.
On December 24, 1962, they tied the knot and had the reception at Lorna’s home, with their three-tier wedding cake made by Vernon’s mother.
They have two children, a son and daughter, born all of 20 years apart, four grandchildren – all boys – and six great-grandchildren, of whom only two are girls.
Lorna describes the birth of her children as one of the greatest memories of the past 60 years.
“I had a son for 20 years and then God blessed me with a daughter. In our 60 years of marriage there are lots of lovely memories but as a mother, the birth of my children is most precious, especially since my daughter followed two decades after my son,” she said.
For Vernon the best memory is their 45th wedding anniversary.
“This is when our children bought us new rings and we renewed our vows,” he said.
When asked what the secret is to such a long, fulfilling marriage, Lorna said it is about always putting God first since it is only His Grace that has brought them here.
Vernon agrees and adds that communication is important.
“You need to stand together through good and bad times. These 60 years weren’t easy but they were worth it,” he said.
Their advice to younger married couples is to go to God with all your problems. “Pray and ask God to lead you, and if you have arguments never move out of the house. Make your things right at home,” Lorna said.
The couple’s daughter, Veronique Scholtz, said that they are truly grateful and honoured to celebrate this milestone with their parents.
“They’ve truly been such an awesome example to us. They have shown us that marriage is a journey with two people growing together and growing old together.
“They have taught us all those values regarding communication and respecting each other and of course, putting God first,” she said.
