Secrets to a lasting marriage
A CHEEKY but fun-loving Phoenix couple have pulled off arranging their 50th wedding anniversary celebrations in style by renewing their vows and dancing the night away.
Days after celebrating their golden anniversary, Sunny James Nagoor, 76, and his wife, Lutchmee, 68, said they had been planning the event, with the help of their children, for about a year.
“Our children wanted to know why we did not opt to go on holiday instead. We refused because we wanted this milestone event to be perfect and it could only be perfect with our loved ones around,” Lutchmee said at their home in Sunford, Phoenix, last week.
Sunny said family and friends had praised him on this attire at the bash on July 8 at the Corner Stone Community Church in Longberry Drive, Phoenix, while Lutchmee retorted, saying she also received compliments.
It became quite clear that the Nagoors enjoy playfully teasing one another.
The couple, who renewed their vows, said their families were instrumental in bringing them together more than five decades ago.
“His aunty went to a prayer in Merebank and my mum and I were at the same prayer. I saw her checking me out and smiling. Little did I know she went to his house and told his mother about me and well, the rest is history,” Lutchmee said.
Sunny, who was 26 at the time and lived at Magazine Barracks, said his brotherin-law, Thumba, who lived in Merebank, accompanied him to Lutchmee’s home in the suburb’s Tomango Road to meet her.
“He took my older brother, Mack, to the house first, but he did not like her, so I went with Thumba and we were introduced,” Sunny said.
“She made me a cup of delicious tea and I kept staring at her because of how beautiful she was but she refused to say a word to me.
“Eventually, when we were leaving, she asked when I was coming back. Those words brought a great feeling in me and I told her I would be making regular visits.”
When Sunny returned home, he told his family he liked Lutchmee and they soon began courting. Months later, they were engaged.
By this time Lutchmee, who lived with her mum, had to move to their new home in Unit 3, Chatsworth, after the city council gave them a new house.
Sunny said his parents only met his then 19-year-old fiancée on their engagement day.
While courting, they used to tell fibs to their families, saying they were going to meet relatives, when they had instead planned to meet and spend time together at the movies.
A year later, on July 8,1967, a double wedding took place at the Sungum Temple on Derby Street.
Sunny wed Lutchmee and his brother, Mack, married Dolly.
About 400 friends and family members attended their high tea wedding and were served snacks, tea, coffee and juice.
Sunny wore a striped burgundy suit and Lutchmee a teal sari and white blouse.
The couple did not go on honeymoon and instead moved to Sunny’s home in Unit 5, Chatsworth, where they went on to raise their three children, Lorraine, Christy and Glen.
They lived there for 14 years before relocating to Sunford, Phoenix, which has remained their home.
Sunny, who has a love for music, played in various bands, including the Magnets and Splitters.
“I was lead guitarist and we played all types of music, but my favourite was the band the Raiders,” he said.
Lutchmee added: “Before we got married, he took me to the gigs and I enjoyed watching them, but after we got married, he used to go and I remained at home with my in-laws and looked after the children.”
Sunny worked as a technician in the chemical laboratory at the Durban Corporation, while Lutchmee remained a housewife.
The couple enjoy watching TV, praying together and spending time with their six grandchildren.
The key to a good relationship, they say, is trust, honesty, faithfulness and God.
“When we made our vows, we didn’t only make it to one another, we made it to God as well and it’s because we have stuck to our vows that he has blessed our marriage,” Sunny said.