A blushing bride at 70

Lyn Ross Ray Tanner and Lyn Ross were a tad nervous, Ray more so. The years had flickered by but there was still time for a new future.
Both caregivers, Ray, 83, and Lyn, 70, were married on a sunny Saturday in the back garden of their Parkvale home in front of 50 guests - mostly family and some close friends.
Lyn was given away by her son Paul Riddell and her daughter Robyn McConnachie was the matron of honour.
Ray's eldest son Gavin was the best man and second son Mark was the toastmaster.
His two daughters, Cheryl Howells and Karen Huitema, hovered in the background to make sure the ceremony and reception went like clockwork.
Jack Cowdrey, best man at Ray's first wedding, watched on, proudly.
"It's never easy walking up in front of everyone; yes I'm a bit nervous," said Lyn before marriage celebrant Benny Sowry pronounced them husband and wife.
It was Lyn's third marriage and Ray's second. They have lived together for 10 years and have now sealed their commitment.
"I made one agreement - after today I'm allowed to have the last word," said Ray, nervously.
"I always thought Ray would marry me one day," Lyn said.
"It's a bond, a complete togetherness, something special. It's a guy telling the world that 'this is the woman I've chosen to spend the rest of my life with'. He's generous, kind and gentle. He's the kind of guy who will do anything for any anybody. I love the guy," said Lyn.
Ray, a retired builder, had been married for 48 years when his first wife Shirley died in 1999. Lyn was married 18 years when her husband Keith passed away.
The newlyweds met over lunch in Decor Gardenworld Bethlehem.
"I was on my own and he asked if he could sit at the table. It went from there," said Lyn, who was working for Bridge City Health Care in Hamilton at the time. "He talked and talked. He doesn't do anything but talk."
Lyn and Ray lived together at Omokoroa and then moved into Tauranga six years ago, first to Hairini and then to Parkvale.
"Two years ago I thought I'd better do something about the relationship," said Ray. "I bought a [engagement] ring but I hadn't settled and just kept it. The Christmas before last I forgot I had bought it and bought another. Lyn finished up with both of them."
Following their wedding, they weren't going far because Ray is still recovering from a shoulder operation, the legacy of a runaway trailer. He spent 17 days in hospital last November.
"It nearly cost me my life," Ray said matter of factly.
"Later, we'll have a honeymoon," said Lyn.