Treasuring their marriage
Willem and Retha du Preez have a touching tradition of celebrating their wedding anniversary each year, wearing their original wedding clothes.
The couple, who live in Reebok outside Mossel Bay, also have a photo shoot in their wedding clothes each year on their anniversary.
They were married 10 years ago in Pretoria - on 1 May 2014.
For both of them this is their second marriage.
Within minutes of speaking to Retha, one is struck by her tender heartedness.
Softly spoken, she says: "Fortunately, our original wedding clothes still fit us."
For their anniversary pictures, they even wear the same shoes they wore on their wedding day.
Retha, who has two sons, aged 33 and 27, says: "We used to do our photo shoots with the boys, but for the last two years they have not been with us for our anniversary."
She and Willem moved to Reebok from Pretoria in November 2022.
Retha's sons still live in Pretoria.
She says her hair has gone grey over the years, which can be seen in the anniversary pictures, but she has decided to leave it grey and not colour it.
Some of the most memorable anniversary pictures they have had taken were at the Voortrekker Monument in Pretoria; during the lockdown in 2020 when they were wearing masks; and their pictures taken on their anniversary on 1 May this year in the beautiful, natural setting of Botlierskop Private Game Reserve near Great Brak.
Well-known Mossel Bay professional photographer Francois Boshoff did this year's photo shoot for the couple.
Retha says: "It's quite difficult getting a photographer for 1 May each year, because it's a public holiday. You have to plan it well in advance."
Mossel Bay Advertiser wishes Willem and Retha many more joyful anniversary celebrations.