Never too old to marry

Charles and Patricia Wilson have known each other about 35 years but tied the knot on Saturday after about a year of courtship. Photo/John Borren

Patricia Wilson wore a green, lacey dress, a white fascinator and a single string of pearls when she married her beau on Saturday - aged 83.

Her husband Charles Wilson, 81, said it was one of the happiest days of his life.
The couple have known each other for 35 years but a recent turn of events meant they started spending more time together.

Mrs Wilson had been widowed for about 11 years. While Mr Wilson had been widowed about two.

Mrs Wilson has six sons, 18 grandchildren and four great granddaughters. Charles has two sons and four grandchildren. But both were happy to open their hearts to each other.
Meeting through their church 35 years ago, both Mrs and Mr Wilson enjoyed each other's company.

"What set it alight was naturally me being on my own and Patricia on her own. We came together by default by church and ministry activities. In the end it started to get a bit too good so we thought we better do something about it.

"Patricia is a very gracious lady. We needed to do the right thing, be honorable and get married." The couple would have been courting for the last year, he said.

Mrs Wilson said Mr Wilson kept ringing her up.

"I told our pastor he was chasing me. He was after me. He was. When someone starts ringing you day by day, you think hmm this is good."

Mr Wilson popped the question and they went out and chose a suitable engagement ring.
They married on February 13, at the Rotorua Baptist Church, with about 200 family and friends. The event was followed by an afternoon tea and dinner at the Novotel in Rotorua.
The couple were excited about their future together.

They kept busy around their home in Greenwood Park - Metlifecare Retirement Village, walking 2km down to the local shop to buy a paper every day and driving back to Rotorua to catch up with friends and family a few times a week.

The pair will go on a honeymoon to Christchurch and other parts of the South Island as soon as they make arrangements.

"It is just the beginning," Mr Wilson said.