Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Love My true story
A dodgy fag lit the spark for Tom and Anne Page way back in 1956...
We met at Rainsford School Youth Centre in Chelmsford,” Anne explains. “It was at a dance. He offered me a cigarette – I was 16 at the time and didn’t really smoke but took it to look grown-up.”
Tom then offered a light.
“The cigarette made a cracking noise – it was a trick one! It made me jump and his mates who were nearby thought it very funny. But Tom later asked me to dance and I accepted.”
The following week they went out to the pictures and saw a film called Picnic, starring William Holden.
The pair became engaged in June 1957 and married in August the next year.
“We had our honeymoon in Bournemouth and we were short of money. Tom had to pawn his watch to see us through the week. He retrieved it the next week when he was paid,” says Anne.
The couple both worked for Chelmsford City and loved it. “It was a very sociable time then,” Anne says.
“We had our Linda in 1962 and she has given us three delightful grandchildren, Sian, Kyle and Emily.
“We have now been retired for 23 years and Tom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s dementia three years ago and doesn’t always remember who I am.”
But this disease that weighs heavy and steals love day by remorseless day hasn’t changed the bond between Anne and Tom.
“We have been married for 65 years this August and on a good day he still tells me I am the love of his life and he loves me, so that is good,” she says.
“Despite Tom’s illness, he still very much has his sense of humour and keeps me and the family smiling and laughing with his jokes.”
The man who wooed her with a prank is still making Anne smile all these many years on.
What a wonderful love. Where were you when true love stuck? Tell us, email siobhan.mcnally@mirror.co.uk