Sixty years of marriage has only increased the love Wanganui's Alan and Audrey Andersen share as they celebrate their anniversary today.
The couple are Wanganui born and bred and have a love for the region, which has always drawn them back no matter what. Mrs Andersen, (nee Johnston), 80, said they
were introduced in 1944 by a friend, then met again by chance and had been together ever since.
"I didn't recognise him when he introduced himself to me again," she said.
The pair journeyed to Europe in 1966, where they embarked on an 8000-mile motor scooter trip through the continent. "You could only take so much money out of the country and we spent most of it on the scooter.
"We either had to pay for a tank of gas or a bed for the night, so we slept outside," Mrs Andersen said.
"There have been so many wonderful things in our lives, I don't know if I could name one. It's all been wonderful."
Mr Andersen, 86, spent four and a-half years in the African desert and Crete during World War 2 and had his fair share of lucky escapes.
"I was on Crete, and I managed to get on the last ship that was taking us off. It was manned by volunteers, because it was dangerous," he said.
The couple have four children, 13 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren, and plan to celebrate their 70th anniversary in 10 years.
"I never thought we would get to our 60th. Hopefully we are still on deck for the 70th," Mrs Andersen said. The pair also had some sound advice for couples starting out.
"Have tolerance. Make sure you get the right person, and never go to bed without resolving an argument," she said.
The couple will soon be travelling to the Hawke's Bay to celebrate with family and friends.
