Couple, aged 94 and 95, celebrate their 75th anniversary by renewing their wedding vows in the same church where they tied the knot in the midst of WWII
Real love exists and the love this couple has for each other after all those years is the proof.
A besotted elderly couple in their 90s have returned to a church to renew their vows on their diamond anniversary – 75 years after they tied the knot.
Jim Richardson, 95, and wife Irene, 94, from Lancashire, met at a village dance and wed on 12 April 1944, aged 20 and 19, in the midst of the Second World War.
Family and friends gathered at St Michael’s CE church in Lancashire for the service – including the couple’s four children – Rosemary, James, Jennifer and Peter – eight grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and one great, great grandchild.
Richardson proposed to the love of his life, Irene during a bike ride—stopping at a local woods to pull out the ring and get down on one knee.
The retired pair – who are both farmers and believed to be one of the longest married couples in Lancashire – have four children together.
Jim has always regretted not thanking his late mother during his original groom’s speech and wanted to walk out to ‘the wedding march’ – so granddaughter Sandra Taylor planned a vow renewal ceremony during which he could pay tribute.
As the service took place on their wedding anniversary, the couple sat and stood in the same exact positions they had during their original ceremony..
On the day of their wedding day in 1944, Richardson and Irene had to be driven to a photographer’s in Preston for their wedding photographs. They later returned for a hot buffet and an evening reception with tea and cake.
The couple returned home after the service to toast their ceremony with champagne.
A delighted Jim said he felt ‘six feet tall’ after the blessing, adding of their long marriage: ‘I would do it all again. I’m proud of every member of my family.’
An equally happy Irene said: ‘You can always go to one another with your troubles. It has been a lovely life.’
Sandra said ‘compromise’ was the secret to their loving marriage, adding: ‘They love each other very much and they do talk about things. I think it’s routine – they know what they are going to be doing.
Such a lovely couple. We wish both of you more years to come!
Source: dailymail.co.uk, gtgoodtimes.com
