From first dates and chance encounters to forever… We spoke with a few local couples abo their relationships and journeys together. Whether they’ve been together for one or 50 year these stories will make you believe in true love!
Luyanda & Carla Mothiba
Married for Six Years
THE TIMELINE
Luyanda, my husband, and I met in November 2010 on a night out. The following day, he invited me on a date to go house shopping and we then spoke every day since. We have been married for six years, and life has never been better.
PRECIOUS MEMORIES
The highlights of our relationship are our travels and the amount of fun we have together. It’s impossible for us to be upset at each other for longer than 10 minutes. We love each other’s company and cherish our time together.
THE MEANING OF LOVE
Love means safety and security. Love to me means you can be exactly who you are and not worry about judgement. Love is my husband and my husband is my home.
Andrew & SallyEnsor-Smith
Married for 29 Years
THE TIMELINE
Sally: Andrew’s mum booked his car into the company I was working for, and he came in with his friend. I then called Andrev two weeks later as a follow-up on the work done and asked him when he was going to take me out to dinner.
Andrew: That’s exactly what happened! The universe had a hand in our two worlds colliding.
PRECIOUS MEMORIES
Sally: It has to be our amazing children. Watching them grow up and experience life with us has been the most amazing blessing.
Andrew: Every day is a highlight when you wake up with the person who makes you feel good in every possible way. We love to travel, laugh and have fun.
THE MEANING OF LOVE
Sally: Love is about respecting each other as individuals, laughing together, and living life together to the fullest. Love is something that matures as your relationship grows. Andrew and I have also worked together for the last 25 years in our business, so our love also has to have boundaries in our work life.
Andrew: Love is unconditional. You can’t turn it on and off at your will. It’s about how we speak to each other, the words we use, and respecting each other as different individuals.
Justin & Lorinda Scott
Married for 29 Years
THE TIMELINE
Lorinda and I met in high school. We were in a school musical and got to do a dance together. There were a lot of laughs and banter. I was drawn to her feisty spirit. That was 35 years ago and we can say that we’ve had some adventures along the way and continue to do so!
PRECIOUS MEMORIES
There have been many. Having been together for a lifetime, our relationship has evolved and highlights in our 20s are different to our 50s. Having raised three amazing kids and being blessed with the gift of being parents has to rate up there, but perhaps overall I’d say it’s been this amazing journey we still choose to do together.
THE MEANING OF LOVE
It’s so many things. A relationship is tough and it goes through seasons and stages. You both grow and change, in interests, likes, habits, behaviours and so much more. It all happens as life sprinkles petals over you at stages and, at other times, hurls rocks. Love is the glue that holds you both together through it all. A decision, a feeling, a bond, a commitment – sometimes all of these and at times just one. “Love is patient, kind, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.” It’s a daily choice.
Nandha & Vijay Ramadu
Married for 51 Years
THE TIMELINE
I met my husband in matric in 1971. It was an arranged marriage, and our parents came from the same linguistic and cultural background, Telugu. This confirmed a good match. My mother requested that there should be no visits until I completed the matriculation examinations.
PRECIOUS MEMORIES
Nandha is always a true gentleman and family person. His life and love revolve around me and the children. He made every effort to make our life comfortable.
The highlights of our marriage were the surprise gifts I received. If we were going dancing on a Saturday night, I would find an evening dress for the event under my pillow as well as chocolates or perfumes.
THE MEANING OF LOVE
To me, the main criteria of marriage include trust and understanding – love follows thereafter. Unfortunately, Nandha lost his eyesight 12 years ago and went into renal failure about six years ago.
He does find it difficult to cope and becomes very depressed, especially if he gets admitted to hospital, which is often. Fortunately, we have an absolutely fantastic support structure from the family and his sister, Sue, who lives with us.