School Sweethearts Enjoy Surprise Golden Celebrations
A husband and wife from Bewdley were both stunned and delighted when their family threw a surprise party at their home to celebrate their half century anniversary milestone.
The couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, 31st May, with a two-week touring holiday in Cornwall where they had spent their honeymoon, before returning home to Bewdley for what they thought would be a quiet family celebration.
Engineer Paul, 74, and teacher wife Ruth, 74, moved to Nigeria in 1983 with Paul’s then employer John Holt, later taking up the position of Infrastructure Director with the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture before taking early retirement in 2001.
They have three children Stephen, Gary and Jenny, and four grandchildren Natasha, Jake, Maisie and Noah. Active members of their local badminton club in Kidderminster they have a very busy social and family life, travelling extensively across the UK and Europe in their beloved caravan as well as trips further afield without the van.
The lovebirds met at secondary school in West Bromwich, later marrying at St. Margaret’s Church, Great Barr in 1969.
Said Paul: “It helps if you enjoy the same sports and hobbies.”
Added Ruth: “Always give and take but make sure you also have some of your own space.”
Celebrating their golden wedding anniversary with family and friends, the couple have been together for over 56 years and according to them, the secret to a long and happy marriage is: “Start every day with a kiss and end with dinner together and maybe a dance!”
The couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, 31st May, with a two-week touring holiday in Cornwall where they had spent their honeymoon, before returning home to Bewdley for what they thought would be a quiet family celebration.
Engineer Paul, 74, and teacher wife Ruth, 74, moved to Nigeria in 1983 with Paul’s then employer John Holt, later taking up the position of Infrastructure Director with the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture before taking early retirement in 2001.
They have three children Stephen, Gary and Jenny, and four grandchildren Natasha, Jake, Maisie and Noah. Active members of their local badminton club in Kidderminster they have a very busy social and family life, travelling extensively across the UK and Europe in their beloved caravan as well as trips further afield without the van.
The lovebirds met at secondary school in West Bromwich, later marrying at St. Margaret’s Church, Great Barr in 1969.
Said Paul: “It helps if you enjoy the same sports and hobbies.”
Added Ruth: “Always give and take but make sure you also have some of your own space.”
Celebrating their golden wedding anniversary with family and friends, the couple have been together for over 56 years and according to them, the secret to a long and happy marriage is: “Start every day with a kiss and end with dinner together and maybe a dance!”