A match made in heaven.
Those who know Colin and Sylvia Thompson will tell you that no other words describe this couple better.
On Wednesday 2 November 1957, the very-much-in-love young man and woman said their wedding vows at St Mary of the Angels in Athlone.
Sixty-five years, five children and 13 grandchildren later, they are as in love as ever.
Family and friends joined the couple in the gardens of Plumstead High School on Saturday 5 November to celebrate their long and lasting love.
According to their daughter, Joan Lodewyks, the couple’s paths first crossed when her mom was 12 and her dad 15.
“Our dad eyed our mom sitting in a tree on the school grounds. Our dad and his friends would call out, ‘Hello, sister’. On one particular day, our dad and his friends called out as they usually did when my mom stopped and gave that look to our dad. That stare was held and their love story began.”
Despite all of the eyeballing going on, it would take another two years before the two would exchange words. The day eventually arrived during a chance meeting at Athlone train station when they both ended up catching the same train. Thereafter, they made sure to take the same train every morning. Five years later, they tied the knot.
Starting out, the Thompsons lived in Bonteheuwel before moving to Westridge in Mitchell’s Plain. Here they made a home for their family from 1976 until 2013. Today Colin and Sylvia live with Joan and their son-in-law, Evan, in Plumstead.
Evan says, before he was Joan’s husband, he was her neighbour.
“Growing up as their next-door neighbour, I watched this amazing couple seemingly living life to the max, enjoying life and each other. They love parties and dancing and to this day, he will still take every opportunity to dance with his bride,” he says.
Joan says each day, as a child and now an adult, she got to witness her parents love for each other.
“The sweet gestures my dad makes to my mom. Still showing her his love with a pat on the backside. My mom, making my dad his favourite meals. It is so heart-warming to walk into their room and see them holding hands in front of the TV.
She says she and her husband often hear her parents talking in their room.
“Moments later there is laughter. We are in awe how they, after so many years, still have this deep connection, this friendship. And when that song comes on my dad takes my mom for a swirl and my mom is always willing, even when her feet hurt.”
Sylvia shares that the secret to their long marriage is always putting their relationship first, enjoying each other’s company and having shared pursuits like dancing, sport and movies. Colin says it is having mutual respect for each other, putting family first and looking after one another.
“We never stopped courting! Up to this day, she still looks after me in almost every way,” says Colin.
Asked if they had any advice for newly-weds, Sylvia says it is important to prioritise your money early on.
“And keep to your plan as money is a volatile subject,” she says.
When conflict does arise, both agree that walking away to cool off usually diffuses the situation.
“The silent treatment! Not the best method but it probably prevented further escalation,” adds Sylvia.
She does feel, however, that life, and relationships, were simpler back in the day.
“Our main entertainment was movies and dancing. So, it was easier to focus on each other. These days, there are so many distractions and things to do, it’s not easy to commit yourself fully to your husband or wife.”
Looking back at their courting years, Sylvia says what caught and kept her heart was Colin’s caring nature.
”I could dance and Daddy couldn’t. When my uncle took me dancing, Daddy would pay for the ticket and wait outside the dance hall for me. Eventually, Daddy secretly took ballroom lessons to surprise me. That was the start of us getting serious.”
