Blind date leads to 60-year marriage
Janice and Fred Glassey are reminiscing about the first time they met, almost 63 years ago.
It was a blind date, and Fred had cycled to Janice’s house in New Brighton, Christchurch to collect her for an evening out.
‘‘It was raining, and mum had washing hanging all over’’, Janice remembers.
The couple walked down to the local RSA for a dance. They remember a playlist that included Bill Haley and Elvis.
‘‘It was good stuff in those days,’’ Fred said.
After that, Fred would cycle the five miles from Linwood to see Janice every night after work.
‘‘I was keen as mustard,’’ he said.
And so was Janice’s grandfather, who lived with her and liked to play euchre, Janice said.
‘‘He would be shuffling the cards when he saw Fred coming. Fred was a terrible player, so he liked playing with him.’’
Three years after that first rainy date, in February 1960, the couple married and moved into a brand new house.
With little money to spare, Janice sold her wedding dress to pay for the floors in the unfurnished home.
The couple had two children, and lived in New Brighton until the Christchurch earthquakes, when they left to join their daughter in Nelson.
Now, they’re kept busy with Janice’s bowling events, seven grandchildren, and two great granddaughters.
There’s no secret formula for a long marriage, the couple agreed.
‘‘You just have to stick at it,’’ Janice said.
Like most couples, they’ve had their tough times.
In the 1970s, a drunk driver caused an accident that claimed the life of five of Janice’s family members, including her sister, brother-in-law, and niece.
Two surviving nephews went to live with grandparents, and the family worked hard to support them, while grieving.
‘‘It’s 40-odd years ago but it’s something you never forget,’’ Janice said.
They also remember the good times: three decades of caravan holidays in Kurow, in North Otago, and the pleasure of watching children and grandchildren grow.
The pair grew closer after their children left home, she said.
‘‘You start with two, have your family, then it’s back to the two of you again.’’