65 years of marriage a precious gem

Terry and Sue Dalziel are celebrating 65 years of marriage this Wednesday.

When Terry and Sue Dalziel met in 1948, Terry knew he could not let such a good catch get away.

"He couldn't resist a red head," Mrs Dalziel laughed.

The couple were just simply "compatible" in Mr Dalziel's view and now they are celebrating 65 years of marriage.

Mr Dalziel recalled inviting his future wife to the cinema early on and he said, "after that we were pretty much a couple".

Within two years of meeting, they were married in St Andrews Presbyterian Church in Matamata in 1950 when he was 22 and she was 18.

"The doctor said to me once she was young and I said, 'well when you get a good one you can't let them go'," Mr Dalziel laughed.

Five children, 14 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren later and they are still as much best friends now as they were in 1950.

"She's been a very good wife and a good mother. She's always held the family together," Mr Dalziel said.

"He's always there for me. He's my rock. I can't imagine my life without him," Mrs Dalziel said.

"I think that's what it boils down to. Terry's my best friend."

The pair spent most of their married life as dairy farmers in the Waikato and said they worked very well together.

Mrs Dalziel said her husband had always been supportive.

"Whatever I've wanted to do, Terry's always gone along with me.

"He's never stopped me from doing anything.

"I'm very blessed like that."

Mr Dalziel said the past 65 years had flown by.

"It doesn't seem that long."

Mrs Dalziel said she had imagined her golden wedding anniversary (50 years) when they were first married but "never ever thought or comprehended past that".

"It's just incredible," she said.

The couple celebrated with their family over the weekend and would spend the day with Mrs Dalziel's younger sister - the flower girl at their wedding.

Traditional Wedding Anniversary gifts

1st - Paper
10th - Tin/Aluminium
15th - Crystal
20th - China
25th - Silver
30th - Pearl
40th - Ruby
45th - Sapphire
50th - Gold
55th - Emerald
60th - Diamond
65th - Blue Sapphire
70th - Platinum