A couple who has just celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary says their love for each other is stronger than ever, with the pair having stuck together through 'good times, bad times and very bad times'.
Derek and Jean Heywood, both 96, have marked their diamond wedding anniversary this week at Brinnington Hall Care Home, Stockport where they now live together and say they 'are happy together and always have been'.
The couple first locked eyes at a dance at Stockport's Great Moor Conservative club, where the then 19-year-old Jean had been enjoying a work night out. At that point, Derek was still in the army, based on the south coast, but had stopped by the club whilst visiting family in Hazel Grove.
Derek walked Jean home that night and appeared outside her work the following day, waiting for her to come out, Manchester Evening News reports.
Their love story began there, with the then-young couple keeping in touch through letter writing while Derek was in the army. When he returned, they decided to get married.
Derek and Jean tied the knot at All Saints Parish Church in Heaton Norris, Stockport on January 31, 1948, and held their wedding reception at Heaton Moor Conservative Club.
Speaking with the publication, Jean recalled: "We had no money so my ring only cost four pounds and it was only 9 carat. But it's still there on my finger".
'Terrible' post-war rationing also meant the wedding guests were served a frugal ham with salad, with apple pie for dessert.
After a honeymoon in Llandudno, North Wales, the newlyweds lived in a rented room and then moved in with Derek's grandparents for a while, before eventually buying their own home.
They lived at their Offerton residence for 50 years and went on to welcome a daughter, two grandsons, and four great-grandchildren.
The couple has sadly had to contend with tragedy. Their daughter Barbara Ann died in 1970 aged just 33, back when her two sons Stuart and Anthony were still very young.
Their four great-grandchildren regularly visit them at the care home, and the couple enjoyed plenty of family visits on the day of their milestone anniversary, which they marked with fizz and cake.
They were also pleased to receive a letter from King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort, congratulating them on 75 years of marriage. This comes ten years after they received a card from the late Queen Elizabeth II on their 65th anniversary.
Jean has mobility issues while Derek is hard of hearing, however, they both feel 'very lucky'.
Reflecting on the secret to a good marriage, Jean said: "Over the years we have had lots of nice times. We've argued at times, doesn't everybody? But we've woken up the next morning and nothing was wrong.
"That's the best way. If you argue at night, don't get up with it the next morning. Don't sulk for a week. Just forget it and get up as if it's a new day. Things are never always perfect you have to accept that."
She quipped: "We love each other. We don't agree on everything but we agree on that. After all these years we're not going to change now are we? I'm not going to throw him out now."
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