Ralph
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Edward VII (The Duke of Windsor)
Posted on 07/23/2010 8:01:06 PM PDT by dennisw
Last week it was revealed that Ralph and Phyllis Tarrant are the longest-married couple in Britain. In an age where few marriages endure, their 77 years together are inspiring. So what 's their secret for a long-lasting union? Here, LAURA TOPHAM tells the story of Ralph, 107, and Phyllis,101,through their own enchanting words and pictures.
Phyllis took Ralph, who as a steelworker earned £3 a week, home to her parents' house for supper to meet them. It was only then that they stopped meeting on street corners and Ralph could collect her from home.
'We always had supper with my parents after we'd been out,' says Phyllis. 'Even when it was late and we had been out to the cinema. We still have that now - and a tot of whisky before bed.'
Phyllis's parents invited Ralph to holiday with them, as pictured here in Skegness in 1931. 'That was in our younger days,' says Ralph. 'When we were still getting to know each other. Her father took this picture.' 1933 OH WHAT A WONDERFUL WEDDING
After five years of courting, the couple got engaged.
'I didn't propose,' says Ralph. 'I just suggested it, saying: "Would you like to get engaged?" then bought a ring. I didn't even ask permission from her father, but he was pleased as we'd been going together for so long.'
They married on July 8, 1933, at the church they both frequented, St Thomas Crookes, in Sheffield, with the reception at the Scala picture house, which has since been demolished. 'All the family was there,' says Ralph.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Wow ! A different world - another England for sure . Thanks for sharing !
A really nice story. A lot of things went right from the start. They got along with parents, attended church. Also didn’t just rush in.
The fact that he suggested marriage rather than propose seems to indicate that it was more than just romance.
22 years...working on 77...or until I drop dead...which ever comes first..
5 years up, 17 more to catch up with you and 72 more to the British couple. The beautiful Southern girl Jessica and I have a long way to go.
My parents were married 68 years when Mother died. I always say Mother was the best person I ever knew. When my Father died at age 90. I realized it was Daddy’s hard work which allowed Mother to spread her love and kindness to us. Of course Mother worked hard too.
we are on 26 years, still going strong. don’t know with this crazy planet if we can make it this long.
Nice story. We’ve been married 51+ years, sticking it out through good times and bad. A little stubborness helps so you don’t give up. And a little selflessness too. Catering to the other partner.
The priest who married us told each of us to give 90% to the marriage and to expect to get back 10%. If you both do that it should come out even. I think that he was right, although there was a guest at the Wedding luncheon who vociferously disagreed. She didn’t understand the lesson and was sure that it was some evil Catholic plot to make women do all the work. Her own marriage fell apart within 2 years.
Coming up on 42 here, may have to add a sip of whiskey every night, just for good measure ;)
WOOT!...congrats....too late to train another one...
*grin*
Sweet story. They look fantastic at 107 and 101.
43 in a couple of weeks! Hang in there - she’s worth it if you’ve got that far.
Ralph
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Edward VII (The Duke of Windsor)
cool! congrats.
In the 1970s a female cousin of mine said, after only a couple of years of marriage, that she was “madly in love with Jeff 80% of the time, indifferent about him 10% of the time, and hated his guts the last 10% of the time.” And although she was serious, she laughed about these percentages.
They’ve now been married for 34 years.
A healthy dose of realism helps a marriage last, and not expecting perfection. That gal that expected a perfect balance in matters — well, her marriage was no doubt doomed to failure.
So what 's their secret for a long-lasting union?They haven't died.
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