February is the month of love and what better to celebrate a marital milestone than renewing your vows?
That’s exactly what these elderly lovebirds did over the weekend, and they went all out to relive their wedding day 60 years ago.
Maria, 80, and Martinus Tem Carelse, 88, even managed to fit into their wedding clothes!
Maria looked gorgeous in her white lace wedding gown and veil, looking the part of the blushing bride next to a proud Oom Tem, as they renewed their vows in front of family and friends at a grand affair in their hometown of Buffelsjagrivier, close to Swellendam.
Maria says they were “very in love” and she readily accepted Oom Tem’s proposal when she was 18 years old.
The couple got married in the old NG Kerk in Swellendam on 1 January 1959.
They have raised 11 children and have 25 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren.
They decided to make their 60th anniversary extra special by bringing together all their loved ones for an intimate ceremony and shindig afterwards.
Maria arrived in a shiny white BMW and smiled broadly with pink cheeks, everyone applauding as she walked down the aisle.
FIRST WEDDING: In 1959
A smiling Oom Tem said he made the right choice marrying her, and says marriage is all about respect and compromise.
“My life started when Maria said yes all those years ago,” he says.
“I listen to my wife when she speaks and have always maintained the utmost respect for her.
“Marriage is not all happiness, but a journey where two people decide they want to love each other every day, no matter what happens,” he says.
He says renewing his vows was a special moment.
“It was special and eternal the first time, but having our children there with us to once again witness the love we share, made it so much more special,” says Oom Tem.
Maria says the problem with today’s young people is that they do not know what real love is.
“There will be difficult days in any marriage, but kids today just want to walk away instead of sticking to the promise made before God. I want to thank God that we have this love and were able to share it with all our offspring.”