Warrnambool couple Fred, 95, and Joy Smith, 88, celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary yesterday. 120619AM35 Picture: ANGELA MILNE
NOT letting the sun go down on your arguments is the key to a long marriage, according to Fred and Joy Smith who yesterday celebrated 69 years together.
The Warrnambool couple joined their children for lunch at the Warrnambool Bowls Club, enjoying the day out with anniversary balloons and a block of chocolate.
Reflecting on a long life together, Fred, 95, said they were pleased to be around family on their special day.
"It's a long time," he said of the milestone.
"We were married at the Casterton Methodist Church in 1943 by Dr Arthur Blanksby."
Fred said the key to a long marriage was to "fix your arguments up" as soon as possible.
"You don't go back more than a fortnight," he said.
"You take it day-to-day and forgive one another of your upsets before the sun goes down."
Up until she suffered a stroke in April, Joy had been caring for Fred at Lyndoch Living.
The devoted couple now live apart while Joy receives treatment in hospital.
However, their daughter Glenda has taken Fred to visit Joy each evening.
“We’ve enjoyed lots of things together — golf, caravanning together, fishing and camping, going yabbying up north,” Fred said.
“Joy used to cook a lovely yabbie mornay — it was beautiful.
“We’ve got a lovely family of girls and it’s good to have them around.”