Couple celebrate 70th anniversary
As Charlie and Zelda Peterson celebrate 70 years of marriage, they can look back on moments that led to their love.
On April 12, 1947 Charlie and Zelda wed in Havelock’s quaint St Peter’s stone church.
It was the same year India was granted independence, Donald Bradman hit 100 first-class centuries and the most effective consumer boycott ever seen in New Zealand stumped a move by hotels to raise the price of beer.
But for Charlie, then 20, and Zelda, 21, 1947 marked the beginning of their lives together. Charlie had retired from the Airforce after serving during WWII and was working the bush while Zelda worked in a post office.
They had known each other most of their lives. Charlie lived in Havelock and Zelda in Okaramio. The pair grew up together and met for the first time at school.
‘‘Zelda was well known to help me out with my sums.’’
They sparked up a friendship which has lasted longer than their marriage. ‘‘I sat behind him at school,’’ Zelda said. ‘‘We just got on so well. We were good friends, that’s all.’’
Charlie was a grocer at the local supermarket before the war. When he toured the Pacific and served in Guadalcanal the pair lost touch.
Shortly after Charlie’s 18th birthday he returned home and made contact with Zelda.
Their friendship deepened and it wasn’t long before Charlie began courting. They danced and would take small outings together and on Zelda’s 21st birthday, at the Okaramio Hall, the pair announced their engagement.
Zelda wore a satin and lace dress made by her stepmother. It was a simple wedding with two bridesmaids, two groomsmen and 40 guests, Zelda said.
The newlyweds moved to a cot- tage in the Wakamarina Valley.
Dale, their firstborn came along in 1950. Two years on their daughter Jill was born and in 1953 the young family moved to Nelson where they remain.
Charlie’s love for gardening shaped the family’s block where they have stayed for 43 years. He said Zelda would cook from the vegetable patch every night. ‘‘That’s why I think we kept so well.’’
While Zelda preferred to stay away from the garden, Charlie said understanding each other was the key to their loving marriage.