When Beryl and Murray Stewart were the bridesmaid and groomsman at a friend's wedding more than 60 years ago they weren't to know that they'd still be together now.
The couple had known each other from working at the Farmers Trading Company in Whangarei but that friend's wedding is what really
made the romance blossom.
"He brought me home from the wedding. He quite fancied me and I thought he was all right," says Beryl with a laugh.
They married in Ohaeawai on June 16, 1951, and in the ensuing years had two children, Ron and Eileen.
Ron is involved with the Mud House Winery in Blenheim and Eileen is a physiotherapist in Greymouth.
Murray, 82, and Beryl, 83, during the years have owned several grocery stores including one on Maunu Rd, which is no longer there, and one on Mill Rd, which is now Young's Dairy.
They eventually settled on a farm in the Ngunguru area where they farmed in the district for 50 years.
Murray suffered a stroke five years ago which left him with speech difficulties.
Beryl says she will always be there for Murray.
"It has been hard but we manage. We've survived anyway," she says.
Beryl says the key to their marriage has been staying busy, but not too busy that Murray would be late for dinner.
"It has been a very busy life for the two of us. Once the family left home we kept busy in different directions.
He was always on time for dinner though, six o'clock on the dot," she says. Beryl says by doing their own thing and being there for each other it hasn't felt like 60 years of marriage.
Murray has been a member of the Northland Golf Club for about 25 years. He has helped out with tournaments throughout the years, often behind the scenes organising trophies.
Beryl is also an honorary member of the golf club.
She says that she still tries to get out and hit a golf ball when she can.
Beryl was awarded a Queen's Service Medal for community service in the mid-1990s.
