It was a love for modern waltz that tied Betty and Ken Nelson-Moore together in 1946.
World War II was over and ballroom dancing was "the thing to do in those days".
Sitting in their Whanganui living room the couple smile fondly at each from across the room, reminiscing over the "good old days" as they get ready to mark their platinum wedding anniversary.
Starting with the night they met at St Josephs hall in Whanganui. Ken said he couldn't remember who asked who to dance. Betty recalls it was "ladies take their partner".
Nevertheless, Ken must have done something right because two years later the young couple were married at St Paul's Presbyterian Church in Whanganui by Reverend Dickie.
Ken said the minister had given them an important piece of advice that had stayed with them throughout their 70 years of marriage.
"He said if you have a row, always sit down and talk about it before you go to bed. The longer you leave things to simmer the worse it'll be."
Looking back over the years, Ken said it was hard to believe they had been married that long - time had just flown by.
"People used to tell us to make the most of being young because life zooms past and it really does."
The pair had done a lot with their lives but the memory that takes the cake was their time spent together in Germany.
At 68, Betty discovered that her great great-grandmother was from Germany and she was determined to go there for a visit in the hope she could reconnect with her long-lost relatives - the Von Remstedt's.
"When I first told Ken he said aren't we a bit old to travel that far but I had made my mind up and so he came with me," Betty said.
The pair agreed their was something really special about that trip and one they treasured deeply.
"We went to the original Von Remstedt home which was absolutely magic."
The key to a healthy marriage, Betty said, was to keep busy and travelling was something they enjoyed doing together.
On Saturday the platinum couple will celebrate at home with their two daughters, three grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
"We are very lucky - not many people can say they have been married 70 years."