Not many people can say they met their life partner as teenagers, but for Brian and Pam, who live at AnglicareSA’s Grandview Heights Retirement Living Village, a chance meeting on the street 72 years ago turned into a life-long love connection.

The pair, who are celebrating another Valentine’s Day together, said they had never been apart since that first meeting, except when Brian completed his National Service for three months.

“That was a long break at the beginning of a friendship,” Pam said.

“But we have been together ever since.”

Brian and Pam, who recently had their 65^th wedding anniversary, said every day felt like Valentine’s Day for them.

“Every day is special, and we celebrate every day,” Pam said.

“We feel lucky that we have been together for so long, and it is long-term,” Brian said.

Speaking about their long relationship, Pam said the key to their lasting bond had been respect and positive communication.

“Love means respecting one another and doing the right thing by one another,” Pam said.

“If you have not got that in a marriage, then it is not going to work.

“There can be negatives in a long-term marriage or even a short marriage, but we focus on the positives.”

 

 

Over the years, the couple have built a life together grounded in respect, tolerance, and commitment, holding each other tight on the good days and even tighter on the challenging ones.

“It is just a normal progression in the relationship, and you face adversities together,” Pam said.

For Pam and Brian, their two children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren are also a source of pride and happiness.

“The engagement, marriage, and the children – there is nothing more special than that in life, if you are lucky enough to go through that,” Pam said.

“We have a close-knit family,” Brian said.

“We feel really lucky as a couple and as a family.”