In sickness & IN HEALTH
DAVID AND SHIRLEY MET IN A STRANGE TWIST OF FATE
Cuddling up on the couch as they complete each other’s sentences, it would appear David and Shirley Morris have spent a lifetime in love.
However, until 18 months ago, they never imagined romance or marriage would be part of their futures.
“I thought I’d just spend the rest of my time with friends and family,” Shirley, 76, tells New Idea. “Then David came along and he was so friendly and caring.” Shirley had been alone for 28 years, raising her children as a solo parent after losing her first husband in a truck accident.
Similarly, David lost his wife to breast cancer 14 years prior. He endured his own battle with prostate cancer, and had resolved to spend his twilight years as a bachelor on his remote property in Deep Lead, VIC.
“I’d been married three times and thought, ‘I’m not going to get attached to anyone again,’” David, 75, says. “Then Shirley found a switch somewhere in me.” The couple first struck up a friendship when Shirley was on a singles camp at the Great Western Racecourse, where David worked as a caretaker. The retired farmer also volunteered as a driver at Grampians Community Health, shuttling patients to medical appointments.
David says fate intervened when he was asked to drive Shirley to and from her chemotherapy appointments after she underwent breast cancer surgery.
“We did a lot of talking on the four-hour round trip and got to know each other well,” says Shirley. “Then he suddenly asked me to marry him and I said, ‘Ask me again when you are serious.’”
Deflated but not defeated, David did just that. This time, Shirley said yes and the pair wed in an intimate celebration on David’s property this Valentine’s Day. A true gentleman, David built an archway for his bride to enter the ceremony through. They also cut a pavlova to share with 30 of their cherished family and friends.
“I guess you just never know when love could be around the corner,” says David. “We hope we have lots of time ahead together and lots of good fun.”