On Valentine's Day, couple married for 63 years reveal surprising secret to a long-lasting relationship

February 14, 2024

When a couple is married for over 60 years, there's often one question: "What's your secret?"

You might think staying affectionate, good communication and compromises would be high on the list.

But one husband and wife who have been married for 63 years say the real answer is much more delicious.

Josephine and Aubrey Langley - who are 90 and 91 - met in 1958 when they foxtrotted at the Mostyn Dance Hall in north Wales.

And according to Mrs Langley, there's one thing that's key to a long-lasting relationship: "A husband that knows how to barbecue and make an exceptionally good gin and tonic."

Mr Langley added that a "good sense of humour" matters - after all, laughter can be just the tonic, too.

The couple had their first date in the back row of a cinema in Pontypool and will mark their 64th wedding anniversary later this month.

Care home residents with a combined 199 years of marriage have shared their secrets to a happy relationship during a celebration at Care UK's Llys Cyncoed home in Cardiff.

Tonight, loved-up couples will be treated to a romantic, private dining evening - complete with champagne.

Sky News has been told they'll be enjoying a three-course meal made specially by the chef. (And, perhaps, an exceptionally good gin and tonic.)

Olwen and Arthur Hayward, 100 and 101, have been married for more than 75 years and are believed to be the 15th married couple in the UK where both spouses are centenarians.

Mrs Hayward said their long-lasting union stems from "a happy marriage and a loving family".

The pair met in 1943 and enjoyed a scenic walk across the cliff top at Pennard, Gower for their first date.

Six years later, they married in a church ceremony with 40 guests and now have two children, four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

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John and Patricia Chesney, 84 and 83, also took part in celebrations at the care home. They celebrated 61 years of marriage on 2 February.

Mrs Chesney had tongue-in-cheek advice for young couples - telling them to "run, run, run".

And she advised: "Let your husband think he is the boss, as long as he obeys his wife."

The Chesneys met on a Saturday night in Queen Street, Cardiff, in 1959 and tied the knot four years later. They have one daughter.

Virgil Frincu, general manager at Llys Cyncoed, said: "Olwen and Arthur, Jo and Aubrey, and John and Patricia, are three love stories for the ages.

"Here at Llys Cyncoed, love is certainly in the air, and it's been wonderful to encourage so many of the residents to reminisce and share fond memories from their own marriages and relationships.

"Many wise words were shared that have certainly given us food for thought," he added.

"We'd like to say thank you to all the happy couples for sharing their stories, they are truly inseparable."

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