Love never grows old for couple in 90s

Keith and Audrey Olesen, of Rotorua, have been married for 65 years. Photo/Stephen Parker

After 65 years of marriage, love is still in the air for Rotorua couple Keith and Audrey Olesen.

It was "love at first sight" for the couple, who yesterday celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary.

Mr Olesen, 91, said he couldn't keep his eyes off Audrey when he first met her at church in his early 20s.

"The moment I saw her, I thought 'wow, she's a very pretty lady'," he said.

"Then after talking to her, I thought she'd make a great, lovely wife."

Mr Olesen said one of the things he loved most about his wife was her trustworthiness.

"She's completely trustworthy, a lovely woman."

Mrs Olesen, 90, said it did not feel as if she had been married so long, because she could remember her wedding at the Rotorua Methodist Church, formerly on Hinemoa St, like it was yesterday.

"It was lovely day, a very hot and sunny day," she said.

The couple won't be celebrating Valentine's Day tomorrow because flowers, chocolates and other gimmicks were not the answer to a long and healthy relationship, they said.

"The secret is that there's no secrets," Mrs Olesen said.

"It's very important to be open and honest with one another and to take the time to talk things out."

While she and her husband often worked together as a team, they felt they were individuals as well and could do things together or apart.

"We've had a good, happy life together."

Mr and Mrs Olesen have three children, three grandchildren and two great-grand children.

Their daughter, Lynette Kenny, said 65 years of marriage was an amazing achievement.

"It's very rare these days for people to be together for so long, it's a huge achievement," she said. "They've always been there for me and have been such good parents."

Clearly they were still in love, she said.