DATE NIGHTS STILL THE ‘BEST TIMES’
HAPPY 65th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY MEIS AND COR HOFF
THE Hoffs are certainly a well heeled couple – even after 65 years of marriage at age 85 Meis still slips on a pair of her favourite fancy shoes every time her love Cor takes her on a date.
Mr Hoff, 87, was a director and Mrs Hoff an actor when they met on a the bus at a social outing for the amateur theatre company in Rotterdam where they both performed.
“One of the other players said to me, ‘You’re always looking at her’ and I said ‘Well that’s because I’m going to marry her’,” Mr Hoff said.
“I took her to the movies and moved myself closer and closer to her lips until I gave them a little kiss. It was love.”
The couple immigrated to Australia in 1954, leaving behind their homeland of Holland – a beautiful country touched by the tragedy of the Second World War.
Mrs Hoff and her family had to jump from roof to roof to escape a bombing run by the Nazis.
“When the Germans came and we had to run I was only a little girl. I’ll never forget seeing my pram and my dolly on fire,” Mrs Hoff said.
“I’d got them for my birthday.”
The couple originally settled in Melbourne, where the experienced hospitality professionals found employment.
Mr Hoff is skilled in the increasingly lost art of fine dining table service and Mrs Hoff was also in demand for her skills as a waitress and housekeeper.
The couple welcomed two sons, Robert and Paul, and now boast five grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
Mr Hoff later changed careers to become a sales manager where he became acquainted with John Newman and Tikki Taylor after supplying one of their restaurants.
Many years later their son Paul, who shares his parents’ passion for both performance and hospitality, would end up working for the Newmans where he is now well known on the Gold Coast as the head chef at Dracula’s.
The Varisty Lakes couple moved to the Gold Coast in 1986 after falling in love with the city and its enviable climate after visiting on a family holiday.
They are involved with the Gold Coast Dutch Community Association and enjoy watching shows at Twin Towns.
Mr Hoff said the key to a good marriage was to always make sure your partner knows how much you love and respect them.
“Our best times are when I take her out on dates,” Mr Hoff said.
“Nobody ever knows how old she is because she dresses so well.
“Meis loves to wear her high shoes and at 85 she’s wearing them even now.”
WHEN THE GERMANS CAME AND WE HAD TO RUN I WAS ONLY A LITTLE GIRL. I’LL NEVER FORGET SEEING MY PRAM AND MY DOLLY ON FIRE MEIS HOFF